2010 Map of Costilla

About this map

Costilla sits near the northern New Mexico border, where a complex network of irrigation channels defines the high-desert agricultural landscape. The reliance on water management is evident through numerous named waterways like the Cordillera Ditch, Cerro Canal, and the Association Ditch, which divert Costilla Creek to sustain the local valley. This 2010 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey captures the community's infrastructure, including the Costilla Post Office and nearby Urraca Ranch. To the east, the terrain rises into the foothills, marked by deep incisions like Cedro Canyon and Jaroso Canyon. The presence of the Cedros Prospect suggests historical mineral exploration in the area, while the network of county roads, such as County Road B-051, connects these remote outposts. This map provides a detailed view of the traditional land-use patterns in Taos County, where the historic Acequia Madre continues to serve the region's acequia culture.