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2023 Map of La Plata

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of La Plata
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The La Plata River valley serves as the primary corridor for settlement and agriculture in this corner of San Juan County, defined by an intricate network of irrigation channels. Water management is central to the landscape, with features like Pioneer Ditch, Greenhorn Ditch, and Hillside-Thomas Ditch diverting flow to the surrounding canyon-cut terrain. The small community of La Plata sits at a crossroads near the center of the sheet, supported by these historic water rights and the proximity to high-desert ranching lands.

Industrial activity is evidenced by several access routes, including Mine Rd and La Plata Mine Rd, which lead into the complex system of canyons such as Coalbank Canyon and North Thomas Canyon. For those researching local families, the La Plata Cem and Greenhorn Cem provide specific points of interest. The topography transitions from the flat expanse of Conger Mesa to the drainage basins of the McDermott Arroyo and Allen Arroyo.