The Santa Cruz River hydrographic survey was ordered by the State Enginneer in March 1959.And was the second survey of a series of surveys which mapped and determined the water requirements of irrigated lands in the Rio Grande basin in New Mexico above Otowi (Reynolds,1960,p.35).As such, the maps form the basis for defining the locations, amount of diversion allocated for the associated parcels and the adjudicated water rights for the parcels in the mapped data.

The headwaters of the Santa Cruz River are formed on the west slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. There, three major tributaries are formed, which united make up the Santa Cruz River. They are the Rio Quemado, the Rio Frijoles, and the Rio del Medio. The Rio Frijoles rises on the southern slope of Sierra Mosca and flows northwesterly to Cundiyo where it is joined by the Rio del Medio a westerly flowing stream rising on the north slope of Sierra Mosca.
Santa Cruz Reservoir is located about one mile below this junction. The Rio Quemado rises near Truchas Peak and flows westerly through Cordova and Rio Chiquito and joins the Santa Cruz River at Chimayo about two miles below the Reservoir.

From Chimayo the river flows westerly entering the Rio Grande about 500 feet south of the highway bridge at Espanola. Villages along the river in this reach are Quarteles, Sombrillo, Santa Cruz, and San Pedro.
There are 21 maps that help define the adjudicated water rights for land parcels served by 70 distinct acequias. Rio Santa Cruz having 30 acequias, Rio Quemado having 20, Rio Frijoles having 8 and Rio Medio with 12 acequias. Additionally, there are 9 maps associated with the Rio de Truchas Hydrographic survey. Additional information for maps associated with the other acequias can be found at the OSE Legal Department webpage, as well as more helpful resources.

The following menu lists the maps specific to the Acequia de Santa Cruz (click on the title to open the menu).