2013 Map of La Jara

About this map

The agricultural landscape of the San Luis Valley is defined by a dense network of water management features surrounding La Jara and Sanford. This 2013 survey reveals how the Alamosa River and La Jara Cr are harnessed through an intricate system of laterals and ditches, including the Empire Canal, San Luis Ditch, and Richfield Canal. These waterways dictate the settlement patterns and field boundaries throughout Conejos and Alamosa counties. In the heart of the valley, the town of La Jara is shown with its grid of streets such as Broadway Ave and Spruce St, while the nearby La Jara Cem and the smaller community of Richfield provide specific points of interest for genealogists tracing local families. The map also captures the path of Us-285 as it cuts north through Estrella, illustrating the modern transit corridor that parallels older irrigation routes like the Alamosa Farm Lateral.