1983 Map of Cordova Canyon

About this map

The Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation encompasses this high-altitude landscape in Rio Arriba County, defined by the winding path of the Continental Divide. This 1983 edition captures a remote territory where complex drainage patterns are marked by numerous canyons and seasonal water sources. Hydrology is central to the area's geography, with named features such as Mundo Lake, Luna Lake, and Enbom Lake situated among the ridgelines. The western edge of the map is defined by the New Mexico Principal Meridian, a critical surveying baseline for the American West. Erosion has carved deep channels through the terrain, most notably at Cordova Canyon, Soldier Canyon, and La Jara Canyon, reflecting the natural processes that have shaped the Jicarilla Apache lands over millennia. Small ponds like Muniz Pond provide glimpses into the water management required in this arid, high-elevation environment.