2011 Map of Thompson Arroyo

About this map

The Old Otero Canal cuts across this high plains landscape in Otero County, marking the human effort to manage water in an arid environment. The terrain is defined by a complex network of seasonal drainage channels, including Thompson Arroyo, Vandiver Arroyo, and Robinson Arroyo, which carve paths toward the larger watershed. To the southwest, Miller Mesa rises as a distinct topographical feature above the surrounding flats. A systematic grid of rural roads, such as County Rd AA and County Rd 35, provides access to this sparsely populated region. The presence of East Fork King Arroyo and Rock Arroyo further illustrates the natural erosion patterns that have shaped this portion of southeastern Colorado, where land use is dictated by the availability of water and the orientation of these historical drainage ways.