2010 Map of Grand View Mesa

About this map

Grand View Mesa and its neighboring plateaus, Fruitland Mesa and Crawford Mesa, define the geography of this Colorado landscape. The land is characterized by an extensive network of irrigation infrastructure necessary for high-desert agriculture, including the Grand View Ditch, the Gould Canal, and the Crawford Clipper Ditch. These man-made watercourses wind across the flat-topped mesas, diverting water from sources like the Smith Fork and Crystal Creek. Local history is anchored by landmarks such as the Olson Cemetery and the Crawford Airport, while the surrounding terrain is deeply incised by uniquely named drainages like Son-of-a-Gun Gulch, Diamond Joe Gulch, and the deep Red Canyon. This survey captures the complex intersection of natural geology and human-engineered water management in the early 21st century.