2010 Map of Santa Maria

About this map

The Rio Grande carves a complex, winding southern boundary for this region of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, defining a landscape of historical bancos and international borders. The area is characterized by a dense network of irrigation infrastructure essential to South Texas agriculture, including the Santa Maria Main Canal, La Feria Main Canal, and the Adams-Gardens Main Canal. This water management system supports diverse settlements ranging from established towns like Santa Maria and Bluetown to numerous colonias and ranching properties such as Galveston Ranch and Gloria Ranch. The map captures the unique geographic artifacts of the river's shifting course, documented through numbered land tracts like Palma Banco Number 25 and Soliseno Banco Number 23. To the north, the Arroyo Colorado provides a secondary waterway, while the Adams Winter Garden Dam highlights the era's sophisticated local water control.