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2023 Map of San Miguel

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of San Miguel
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The Mesilla Valley defines this agricultural corridor south of Las Cruces, where the Rio Grande sustains a complex network of irrigation infrastructure. This landscape is a patchwork of communal water management, characterized by an intricate system of channels including the Chamberino Main Lateral, Brazito Lateral, and Three Saints Lateral. These waterways support a string of settlements like San Miguel, Mesquite, and Santo Tomas, which are connected by historic routes and modern infrastructure like US Highway 85 180.

To the east, the terrain rises toward the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, providing a stark contrast to the verdant river bottoms. Local heritage is preserved at sites like the San Miguel Cem and Missionary Ridge Cem, which serve as quiet markers of the families who settled this valley. The presence of Vado Hill and seasonal drainages such as Fillmore Arroyo further illustrate the transition from the fertile floodplain to the high desert.