1984 Map of Black Mountains

About this map

The Black Mountains rise as a prominent landform in this arid portion of Hudspeth County, their central peaks and ridges providing a stark contrast to the surrounding drainage basins. This mid-1980s provisional study emphasizes the critical importance of water management in the high desert, documenting a network of livestock tanks and catchments necessary for ranching and survival. Features like Cuatro Julio Tank and the Black Mountain Tank are strategically positioned around the central massif to collect runoff from the rocky slopes. To the west and south, the terrain levels out into expansive draws, including the significant path of Miller Draw. The distribution of man-made catchments such as Flat Bottom Tank, Bond Tank, and Dishpan Tank indicates a landscape primarily utilized for grazing, where every natural basin and drainage was surveyed for its potential to support local range operations.