2011 Map of Vigas Canyon

About this map

Candelaria Waterhole sits in the southwestern reaches of this high-desert landscape, a notable landmark in a territory defined by deep drainage networks and expansive mesas. The topography is dominated by massive flat-topped features like B S Mesa, Cereza Mesa, and Jaramillo Mesa, which are dissected by numerous winding canyons such as Vigas Canyon and Jaramillo Canyon. Water management is central to the land's utility, evidenced by the Encino Detention Dam Number 85 along Muñoz Creek and smaller livestock or utility points like Deer Tank and BS Tank. This 2011 survey illustrates a sparsely populated region of Rio Arriba County where transport is limited to a grid of county routes, including County Rd-518 and Co Road 366, supporting the ranching and resource management needs of the high plateau.