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2002 Map of Mercedes

Name: 2002 Topographic Map of Mercedes
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2003
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2003

About this map

Weslaco and Mercedes anchor this study of the Rio Grande Valley, where a dense network of drainage ditches and floodways manages the flat, agricultural terrain. The landscape is defined by the intersection of traditional citrus and vegetable farming infrastructure with growing residential areas like Sunrise Hill and Heidelberg. Irrigation systems feeding off the Arroyo Colorado and Campacuas Lake dictate the layout of the land, while the presence of the Lacy-Mercedes gas field to the northeast points to the region's energy resources.

Local heritage is concentrated around numerous institutional sites, including the Texas College of Arts and Industries and an extensive collection of cemeteries such as Highland Memorial Cemetery and Cementerio Bautista. The southern boundary touches the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, marking a transition from the urbanized centers of the valley to protected natural spaces. From the Mid Valley Airport to the historic Depot in Mercedes, the map tracks the transit and civic foundations of these borderland communities at the turn of the millennium.