Ramah

History

Established in 1876, Ramah was one of fifty locations in the New Mexico Territory settled, under the direction of Brigham Young, by Mormon pioneers, and is one of only three that remain today. Ramah was originally settled for the purpose of missionary work to be carried out within the Zuni and Navajo communities. Many of the original stone houses are still standing and are a testament to the hard work and skill of Ramah's early founders. One such building has been restored and preserved as a museum to display the heritage of the valley's past. Ramah Lake was built by these same pioneers in order to farm the surrounding area, which receives moderate rainfall on a yearly basis. The lake relies on snowfall and spring runoff to sustain its water levels. This trait is shared by many areas in the state of New Mexico. In recent years, due to drought, the lake has dried up; the town irrigation committee used this low water level to make improvements including dredging a large amount of silt buildup and reinforcing the dam, allowing water to be used more efficiently. Modernization in irrigation has allowed water to be used more effectively.

Geography

Ramah is in southwestern McKinley County and is bordered to the east by Cibola County. New Mexico State Road 53 passes through Ramah, leading to El Morro National Monument and west to Zuni Pueblo. Gallup, the McKinley county seat, is northwest of Ramah by road. Lying at above sea level, Ramah is considered by some as a high desert, but at higher elevations it includes tall pines, sandstone cliffs, and timber-covered mountains. Much of the lower landscape in the surrounding area is covered with lava flows from the chain of volcanos to the south. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Ramah CDP has a total area of , all land. The town center lies in the valley of Cebolla Creek, a west-flowing tributary of the Rio Pescado, part of the Zuni River watershed leading southwest to the Little Colorado River in Arizona. Ramah Reservoir, built on Cebolla Creek, sits just outside the community to the north.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• RAMAH HIGH
  High · RAMAH · 287 students · 20.5:1 ratio
• RAMAH ELEMENTARY
  Elementary · RAMAH · 232 students · 17.8:1 ratio