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1961 Map of Black Bluffs

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Black Bluffs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

Elephant Butte Reservoir dominates this high-desert landscape of Sierra County, where the impounded waters of the Rio Grande stretch through canyon terrain. This photorevised 1980 survey shows the vast shoreline of Elephant Butte Lake State Park and the distinct geography of The Narrows and White Cliffs. On the western shore, the drainage of Alamosa Creek meets the lake near Elkins Ranch, providing a rare glimpse into the ranching footprints along the water's edge.

The map reveals the intricate network of canyons and points that define the reservoir’s perimeter, including North Monticello Point and Three Sisters Point. Evidence of early desert infrastructure is visible through labels for the Chavez Windmill and the Pedro Armendaris No 33 grant boundary. Jeep trails and Lakeshore Road trace the rugged breaks, highlighting the transition from open range to the massive water management project of the era.