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2013 Map of Cliff

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of Cliff
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

Gila River water rights and agricultural history define this portion of Grant County, where a complex network of irrigation channels like the Upper Gila Ditch, McMillen Ditch, and Gila Farm Ditch support the riverside settlements. The small communities of Cliff, Gila, and Riverside are concentrated along the fertile valley floor, surrounded by a dramatic high-desert landscape of mesas and deep-cut canyons. Landmark features such as Graveyard Mesa and Ft Hill overlook the river valley, providing significant points of orientation for local history research.

Evidence of early ranching and settlement remains visible through family-named landmarks and infrastructure. The Clark Cem and Jones Canyon suggest the footprint of early residents, while the concentration of infrastructure around the river—including Riverside Ditch and numerous tanks like Sandy Canyon Tank—highlights the essential nature of water management in this arid environment. The map details a transition from the riparian corridor to the rugged draws of Garcia Canyon and Northrup Canyon, illustrating the geographical constraints that shaped these New Mexico homesteads.