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2019 Map of La Jara

Name: 2019 Topographic Map of La Jara
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2019
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2019

About this map

Agricultural life in the San Luis Valley is defined by the intricate network of water management shown throughout this survey. The Alamosa River and La Jara Cr provide the natural foundations for a complex system of human-made waterways, including the Empire Canal, Sanford Ditch, and Richfield Canal. These channels support the small, gridded settlements of La Jara and Sanford, which serve as the primary hubs for the surrounding farming community.

Smaller locales like Estrella and Richfield are connected by a rigid system of county roads, such as Co RD 100 and Estrella Rd. Genealogical interest is anchored by the La Jara Cem, located just west of the main settlement. The landscape is also shaped by drainage and irrigation features like the Morgan Drain and La Jara Arroyo, illustrating the long-term efforts to manage the high-altitude desert environment for productive use.