2017 Map of Black Bluffs

About this map

Elephant Butte Reservoir dominates this high-desert landscape in Sierra County, where the Rio Grande flows south through the constricted passage of The Narrows. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevation changes, notably at the namesake Black Bluffs and Red Cliff on the eastern shore. The map illustrates a transition from the wilder northern reaches of the reservoir toward developing recreation areas and residential roads in the south, such as Cedar Canyon Blvd and Lakeview Park Dr. Numerous dry washes and drainage systems, including Monticello Canyon and Alamosa Creek, cut through the surrounding tablelands. Local landmarks like Mitchell Point and the White Cliffs provide navigational markers along the water, while the presence of Blander Reservoir Number One to the west suggests early ranching or water management efforts on the higher flats away from the main river valley.