2017 Map of Velarde

About this map

The Rio Grande carves a deep path through northern New Mexico in this 2017 survey, defining the life and agricultural layout of settlements like Velarde and Dixon. Irrigation is central to the landscape, with historic acequias such as Chicos Ditch, El Llano Ditch, and La Plaza Ditch feeding small plots of land along the river's edge. The terrain rises sharply away from the water, moving from the lush valley floor toward landmarks like Black Mesa and into the rugged southern edges of the Carson National Forest. For genealogists and local historians, the map identifies key community centers and burial sites, including the Velarde Cemetery and El Santuario Cemetery. Small hamlets such as La Cienaga, La Bolsa, and Rinconada are tucked into the bends of the river and Embudo Creek, illustrating the long-standing settlement patterns that have existed in this high-desert environment for generations.