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1967 Map of Garcia

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of Garcia
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The Sangre De Cristo Grant in southern Colorado defines a landscape of sophisticated water management and high-desert agricultural engineering. During the late 1960s, the irrigation network was a prominent feature of the terrain, centered around Eastdale Reservoir No 1 and its associated spillways. An intricate system of water distribution is visible through the Eastdale Canal, Culebra Canal, and Chalifa Canal, which draw from Costilla Creek to support the small settlements of Mesita, Jaroso, and Garcia.

The imprint of early twentieth-century transportation is preserved by an Old Railroad Grade running through the northern sector. Cultural landmarks like the Rodeo Ground near Mesita and a lonely Grave near the Eastdale Canal No 2 provide glimpses into the community life and local history of the San Luis Valley. To the east, the rising topography of San Pedro Mesa contrasts with the flat, canal-crossed ranch lands of the valley floor.