2023 Map of Koehler

About this map

The settlement of Koehler sits at the foot of the mountains in western Colfax County, where high-country canyons meet the open plains. This 2023 survey illustrates the sophisticated water management systems required in this arid landscape, featuring the extensive Eagle Tail Canal and reservoirs like Koehler Lake and Dorsey Lake. To the northwest, the terrain is defined by a series of deep cuts including Ox Canyon, Prairie Crow Canyon, and Ashenfelder Canyon, which channel seasonal runoff into the larger drainage of Crow Creek. In the northeast corner of the map, the Raton Municipal Airport/Crews Field serves as a modern anchor for the region, while the rest of the quadrangle is crisscrossed by a network of local routes such as Co RD A-45 and A RD. The interplay of these natural arroyos, such as Springer Arroyo, and human-made irrigation infrastructure reveals the ongoing importance of water rights and land use in this part of New Mexico.