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1996 Map of Riley Canyon

Name: 1996 Topographic Map of Riley Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2000
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2000

About this map

The Purgatoire River carves a deep path through the southeastern Colorado high plains, anchoring a landscape where ranching history and modern military utility overlap. This 1996 revision shows the transition of the former ranching country into the Fort Carson Military Reservation, specifically the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. Local heritage remains visible through markers like the Martinez Cem and Penitenta Ch located near the edge of the Ninemile Canyon.

Evidence of historical water management is scattered across the Comanche National Grassland, with features such as the Girard Windmill, Good Pasture Spring, and Rock Waterhole proving essential in this arid environment. The small settlement of Withers stands near the network of canyons that includes Riley Canyon and Penitenta Canyon, while the river's flow is monitored at a remote Gaging Station downstream.