2013 Map of Colfax

About this map

Agricultural water management and rural settlement patterns define this portion of northeastern New Mexico. The Vermejo River and Van Bremmer Cr wind through the landscape, supporting an extensive network of irrigation infrastructure including the High Line Ditch, Vermejo Ditch, and Siphon Ditch. The presence of the Stubblefield Reservoir and Laguna Madre highlights the region's reliance on stored water for its ranching and farming operations. Small localities like Colfax, Messick, Pompoe, and Martinez are scattered along the route of NM-505, reflecting the dispersed nature of habitation in this high-plains environment. In the south, the Cedar Hills rise above the drainage of the Dry Arroyo, providing a stark topographic contrast to the irrigated basins. This survey captures the vital relationship between natural watercourses and the human-engineered channels that sustain the local economy.