2019 Map of Cheraw

About this map

The Arkansas River forms the southern boundary of this high plains landscape, defining the agricultural and industrial character of the region. The extensive irrigation network is highly visible, featuring the Fort Lyon Canal, Fort Lyon Storage Canal, and several laterals that divert water to basins like Holbrook Reservoir and Cheraw Lake. These water management systems supported the growth of clustered settlements such as Cheraw, Swink, and La Junta Gardens. The map details the transition from irrigated river valley to the higher, drier plains near La Junta Municipal Airport. Local history is preserved in the location of the Holbrook Cem and small rail-side communities like Shelton and Randall, illustrating how the Railroad St and canal systems once dictated the placement of Otero County's early twentieth-century infrastructure.