2020 Map of El Valle

About this map

El Valle and the surrounding high-altitude terrain of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains define this northern New Mexico landscape. The community's agricultural heritage is visible through an intricate network of irrigation ditches, including the Acequia de Abajo de el Valle and the Acequia del Llano de San Miguel, which divert water from the Rio de las Trampas to support local fields. This 2020 survey documents the convergence of the Carson National Forest and the Santa Fe National Forest, marking a transition from the valley floor to the alpine heights of Jicarilla Peak. Water management remains a primary feature of the region, from the high San Leonardo Lakes and Hidden Lake to modern infrastructure like the Osha Ridge Trick Tank. The map also traces the boundary between Rio Arriba, Taos, and Santa Fe counties amidst a complex system of canyons such as Osha Canyon and Cebadilla Canyon.