2020 Map of Black Hill

About this map

Black Hill rises as a prominent landmark in this desert landscape of Socorro County, where the terrain is carved by a network of drainage systems. The map illustrates a high-altitude arid environment defined by named arroyos and canyons, including Lumbre Canyon to the north and the deep-cut Nogal Canyon at the southern boundary. This 2020 survey details the essential water infrastructure required for ranching and survival in this New Mexico interior, marking several catchment points such as Wallace Tank, Beeman Tank, and Scott Tank. Modern transportation infrastructure is represented by the corridor of Interstate 25, which parallels Route 85 as it cuts diagonally across the eastern mesas. Further west, local routes like Cty Rd E 56 provide access through the complex topography of Bottle Hill and Silver Canyon, showing the continued human presence in this sparsely populated region of the Rio Grande valley watershed.