1983 Map of El Vado

About this map

Rio Chama carves a deep path through the high plateau of Rio Arriba County, anchoring a landscape where water and historical land grants define the geography. The presence of the Tierra Amarilla Grant boundary indicates the enduring influence of Spanish and Mexican land legacies on this northern New Mexico terrain. Centered around El Vado Lake and the El Vado Lake State Park, the map illustrates a transition from the structured recreational areas of the reservoir to the wilder reaches of the Santa Fe National Forest. The small settlement of El Vado sits near the dam, while the surrounding canyons, such as Chama Canyon and Nutrias Canyon, demonstrate the erosive power of the drainage systems feeding into the river. This 1980s-era survey documents the intersection of public lands, private grant histories, and the critical water management infrastructure that sustains the region.