2013 Map of Black Mountains

About this map

Black Mountains define the high ground of this West Texas landscape, where life and activity are dictated by the scarce presence of water. In this arid reach of Hudspeth County, the map records a critical network of man-made water catchments, including Quatro Julio Tank, McAdoo Tank, and Black Mountain Tank. These features, along with the natural drainage of Court Draw, provide a clear picture of the pastoral infrastructure required for ranching in the Chihuahuan Desert. The sparse road network and scattered tanks like Flat Bottom Tank and Bond Tank suggest a remote, large-acreage land use pattern typical of the region in the early 21st century, where human footprints are concentrated around these vital water sources.