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1980 Map of Balmorhea

Name: 1980 Topographic Map of Balmorhea
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

The town of Balmorhea and the neighboring settlement of Brogado anchor this 1980 study of the Trans-Pecos landscape. The area is defined by a complex irrigation network, including the Main Canal, Madera Canal, and Diversion Canal, which manage water flow from Toyah Creek toward the agricultural fields and Balmorhea Lake. This desert oasis character is contrasted sharply by the rising elevations of the Barrilla Mountains to the south, where Saddle Back Mountain and Elkins Hills overlook deep seasonal drainages like Kountz Draw and Paloma Draw.

Evidence of local recreation and travel is found in the Athletic Field, several Landing Strips, and a Roadside Park along the northern highway. The map also records essential local history markers, such as a small Cem (cemetery) north of the main reservoir and numerous gravel operations indicating the geological utility of the Sandia region. The prevalence of Jeep Trails and scattered wells underscores the remote, resource-driven nature of this Reeves County territory.