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2010 Map of Elder

Name: 2010 Topographic Map of Elder
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2010
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2010

About this map

Irrigated agriculture and the winding Apishapa River define this corner of Otero County, where the high plains meet the intricate water management systems of the Arkansas Valley. The settlement of Elder sits near the northern edge of the map, positioned along a grid of rural roads and canal systems. The landscape is marked by substantial engineering works including the Catlin Canal, Otero Canal, and the Rocky Ford Highline Canal, which divert water to support the region's farms.

South of the river, the terrain rises toward Apishapa Bluff, a prominent landform overlooking the drainage of Smith Hollow. This area reflects the late 20th and early 21st-century rural layout of the region, featuring the Mount View Cemetery as a quiet landmark amidst the vast network of county roads. The map captures the intersection of natural hydrology and man-made infrastructure, illustrating how water rights and topographic features like the Arkansas River have shaped local settlement patterns.