2016 Map of Rocky Ford

About this map

The Arkansas River forms the central artery of this landscape, supporting an intricate network of irrigation vital to the region's agricultural identity. In the early 21st century, the community of Rocky Ford remains defined by this water-dependent economy, with the Rocky Ford Highline Canal, Fort Lyon Storage Canal, and Catlin Canal carving across the terrain to feed locations like Melon Field and Cottonwood Field. These irrigation systems reflect a long-standing tradition of diverting the river to transform the arid surroundings into productive acreage.