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2020 Map of Velarde

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Velarde
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Rio Grande waters carve through the Rio Arriba valley, anchoring a series of historic settlements and agricultural ditches. Near the village of Velarde, the Canova Ditch and Chicos Ditch trace the lower elevations, evidence of the region's enduring acequia heritage. To the north, the terrain rises sharply toward Black Mesa and the boundaries of Carson National Forest, where the landscape is defined by deep arroyos like Cañada Comanche and Cañada de la Entranas.

Local history is centered on landmarks such as El Santuario and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cem, while the confluence of Embudo Creek and the river serves as a focal point for the riverside community at Embudo. These established villages, including Dixon and Rinconada, are interconnected by a network of rural routes like Old Hwy 582 and Co Rd 67, following the natural contours of the Cañon del Rio Grande.