2010 Map of Medano Ranch

About this map

Medano Ranch anchors this high-desert basin landscape, where a delicate network of desert streams and ephemeral water bodies defines the terrain. The hydrological pattern is remarkably complex, featuring the prominent San Luis Lake and a series of smaller pools including Head Lake, Dollar Lake, and Cotton Lake. These water sources are fed by several drainages such as Big Spring Creek, Arena Creek, and Sand Creek that flow toward the valley floor. Much of the western and central portion of the quadrangle is preserved within San Luis Lakes State Park. The human imprint is limited to a sparse grid of roads, most notably Medano Rd, Medano Ln, and Lane 6 N, which provide access to this ecologically sensitive region of the San Luis Valley.