2022 Map of Waverly

About this map

Hydrological engineering defines the landscape of the San Luis Valley, where an intricate network of man-made waterways supports the high-altitude agriculture of Rio Grande, Alamosa, and Conejos counties. The small settlement of Waverly sits at the junction of several major irrigation systems, illustrating the area's historical reliance on gravity-fed water management. Prominent arteries like the Monte Vista Canal and the Empire Canal traverse the terrain, while specialized infrastructure such as the Denver Colony Lateral and Carmel Drain Ditch indicate localized drainage and distribution efforts. This 2022 survey captures a rural environment structured by its road grid, which often runs parallel to these essential ditches. Smaller named features, including the Spruce Lawn Ditch and Sanderson Ditch, provide fine-grained detail for researchers tracing land use and the development of water rights in this distinctive Colorado basin.