New Mexico Meridian
Encyclopedia
The New Mexico Meridian, is longitude 106° 53' 40" west from Greenwich. It extends throughout New Mexico
and into Colorado
, and together with the baseline
, at latitude 34° 15' 25" north, governs township and range surveys
in New Mexico, except those in the northwest corner of the state which refer to the Navajo Meridian and Baseline
. The New Mexico Meridian and Baseline also provide the basis for township and range surveys in the upper valley of the Rio Grande del Norte in Colorado
.
The New Mexico Meridian intersects the principal baseline, i.e. the initial point, above the Rio Grande del Norte
, about ten miles (16 km) below the mouth of the Puerco River
, on Black Butte just southeast of the village of San Acacia, New Mexico.
This meridian was established in 1855 by John W. Garretson, a surveyor for the U.S. government.
34°15′31.69"N 106°53′16.02"W
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
and into Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, and together with the baseline
Baseline (surveying)
In the United States Public Land Survey System, a baseline is the principal east-west line that divides survey townships between north and south. The baseline meets its corresponding meridian at the point of origin, or initial point, for the land survey...
, at latitude 34° 15' 25" north, governs township and range surveys
Public Land Survey System
The Public Land Survey System is a method used in the United States to survey and identify land parcels, particularly for titles and deeds of rural, wild or undeveloped land. Its basic units of area are the township and section. It is sometimes referred to as the rectangular survey system,...
in New Mexico, except those in the northwest corner of the state which refer to the Navajo Meridian and Baseline
Navajo Meridian
The Navajo Meridian, established in 1869, is one of the two principal meridians for Arizona, the other being the Gila and Salt River Meridian. Its initial point was stated as latitude 35° 45' north, longitude 108° 32' 45" west from Greenwich, but has been revised as The Navajo Meridian and...
. The New Mexico Meridian and Baseline also provide the basis for township and range surveys in the upper valley of the Rio Grande del Norte in Colorado
San Luis Valley
The San Luis Valley is an extensive alpine valley in the U.S. states of Colorado and New Mexico covering approximately and sitting at an average elevation of above sea level. The valley sits atop the Rio Grande Rift and is drained to the south by the Rio Grande River, which rises in the San Juan...
.
The New Mexico Meridian intersects the principal baseline, i.e. the initial point, above the Rio Grande del Norte
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
, about ten miles (16 km) below the mouth of the Puerco River
Puerco River
The Puerco River in northwestern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona flows through arid terrain including the Painted Desert. The main tributary of the Little Colorado River, it drains an area of about and is long. The river's average discharge is very low, less than in normal years, because its...
, on Black Butte just southeast of the village of San Acacia, New Mexico.
This meridian was established in 1855 by John W. Garretson, a surveyor for the U.S. government.
External links
- "New Mexico-Colorado Principal Meridian" Waymark, includes photograph
- "The New Mexico Principal Meridian" Principal Meridian Project, includes photographs
34°15′31.69"N 106°53′16.02"W