1967 Map of Mesito Reservoir

About this map

Rio Grande waters define the western edge of this landscape, carving through a dramatic section known as the Box near the boundary of Conejos and Costilla counties. The 1967 survey captures a high-desert environment where water management and topography dictate the human footprint. The Mesito Reservoir, controlled by a spillway at 7,644 feet, serves as a vital hydrological point for the surrounding plains. The terrain is marked by distinctive formations such as Music Mesa, Brownie Hills, and the ironically named Death Valley. Small-scale exploration is evident through various Prospect markings and the presence of an Indian Cave, suggesting a history of both natural resource seeking and early human presence. Irrigation and agricultural patterns are visible through Culebra Creek and a network of fence and field lines that follow the Sangre de Cristo slopes.