2020 Map of Lyden

About this map

Rio Ojo Caliente and the Rio Grande dominate this Northern New Mexico landscape, where river-fed irrigation has sustained settlements for generations. The map detail highlights a sophisticated network of traditional waterways, including the La Mesa Ditch, El Medio Ditch, and Rinconada Isla Ditch, which define the agricultural footprint around Lyden. To the west, the elevation rises sharply from the river valley toward the prominent Black Mesa and Vallito Peak, while the northern portion of the quadrangle reaches into the protected boundaries of the Carson National Forest. The transition from the alluvial plains of the Arroyo del Pueblo to the dissected canyonlands of Cañada de Piedra illustrates the complex topography that constrained early road development, such as the path of Old Hwy 582.