2013 Map of Blackwater Hill

About this map

Blackwater Hill rises as the central landmark in this portion of Chaves County, anchoring a landscape defined by ephemeral water sources and ranching infrastructure. The presence of several named water features, including Little Lake, Moss Lake, and Mennecke Lake, suggests a high-plains environment where surface water management is vital for survival. This is further evidenced by the strategic placement of the Christine Tank and various scattered windmills such as the Seventyseven Windmill and Bloom Windmill, which highlight the importance of groundwater for the Mennecke Ranch. The terrain is deeply grooved by several significant drainage paths, most notably Blackwater Draw, California Draw, and Thirteenmile Draw. These features, along with Tecolote Canyon, indicate a complex system of seasonal runoff patterns that have shaped the Chaves County topography over time.