2019 Map of Swede Corners

About this map

Swede Corners sits at a crossroads where the high-altitude topography of Saguache County transitions from the western slopes into the vast hydrologic network of the San Luis Valley. To the west, the landscape is defined by the sharp elevation changes of Red Rock Canyon and Sanderson Gulch, while the eastern portion of the map reveals a complex system of drainage and water management. Significant water features include Davey Lake, Trites Lake, and the larger Johnson Lake and Kimmel Lake complex. The engineering of the Rio Grande Canal and the presence of Russell Springs underscore the critical importance of water rights and irrigation in this semi-arid region. Tracing the paths of San Juan Cr and Cottonwood Cr as they flow toward the basin floor illustrates the natural hydrology that supported early settlement and ranching operations in this part of Colorado.