1996 Map of Dona Ana

About this map

Dona Ana sits at the base of the Dona Ana Mountains in this survey reflecting the agricultural and research-oriented character of the region in the late 1990s. The landscape is defined by the sharp transition from the elevated desert terrain of Dona Ana Peak to the irrigated fertile grounds of the Mesilla Valley. Water management is central to the area's layout, evidenced by the extensive network of the Leasburg Canal, Shalem Canal, and the Rio Grande. Large tracts of land are dedicated to the New Mexico State University Chihuahua Desert Rangeland Research Center and the Jornada Experimental Range, underscoring the long-standing importance of range science in this part of New Mexico. The Dona Ana Bend Colony boundary encompasses the older settlement patterns and a local Cemetery, while various prospects and a quarry hint at the area's mineral interest.