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2013 Map of El Rito

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

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

El Rito and its neighboring settlement of Las Placitas anchor this high-desert landscape within the Carson National Forest. The map documents a community deeply integrated with the forest service, evidenced by the central location of the El Rito District Ranger Office and the local Post Office. This region of Rio Arriba County is defined by a sophisticated system of water management in a dry environment, featuring numerous named catchments such as Pinon Number Two Tank and Prairie Dog Trick Tank.

The terrain is carved by deep drainages and canyons, including the significant Alamosa Canyon and Angel Canyon. Moving toward the southern boundary, the elevation rises toward Sierra Negra, while the water system continues through winding channels like the Arroyo del Perro and Arroyo las Lagunitas. This survey provides a precise look at the rural infrastructure and ranching-related water features that sustained this Northern New Mexico territory in the early 21st century.