2019 Map of Medano Ranch

About this map

Medano Ranch is situated at a critical hydraulic and ecological intersection in Alamosa County, where the desert-like sands meet a complex system of artesian water. This 2019 survey captures the delicate hydrology of the San Luis Valley, showing how San Luis Cr and Big Spring Cr feed a network of wetlands and seasonal basins including San Luis Lake, Cotton Lake, and Dollar Lake. The landscape is largely defined by conservation boundaries, split between the Great Sand Dunes National Park to the east and the Baca National Wildlife Refuge in the northwest. The terrain reveals the movement of water across the valley floor through features like Arena Cr and Little Spring Cr, illustrating the transition from the high dunes to the low-lying lake beds and ranchlands that have historically supported the region's cattle and wildlife.