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1961 Map of Black Bluffs

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Black Bluffs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Elephant Butte Reservoir dominates this high-desert landscape, where the waters of the Rio Grande pool north of the dam. The map details the complex geography of the shoreline, from the constricted passage at The Narrows to prominent landmarks like North Monticello Point and Three Sisters Point. Evidence of ranching and land use is visible throughout the arid canyons, including Elkins Ranch and the Chavez Windmill near Alamosa Creek.

Geographical interest is concentrated along the western edge where Monticello Spring feeds into the drainage. The eastern portion is defined by the Pedro Armendaris No 33 land grant, which includes significant terrain features such as the Black Bluffs and Red Cliff. Numerous tributary drainages like Hellion Canyon and Cottonwood Canyon carve into the high ground, connected by a network of unimproved routes like Monticello Point Road.