2010 Map of Boundary Butte

About this map

The North Boundary Butte Oil Field anchors the northeastern corner of this high-desert landscape in the Shiprock Agency region, signaling the area's modern industrial footprint. The terrain is defined by broad plateaus and mesas, most notably the Nokaito Bench which dominates the central portion of the map, and the prominent Boundary Butte Mesa to the east. Transportation through this arid environment relies on a network of tribal and local routes, including the prominent Mexican Water Rd and various Indian Routes like Indian Rte 5060. This 2010 survey illustrates the sparsely populated nature of the region, where named landmarks like Little Water and Boundary Butte provide essential orientation in a landscape carved by the seasonal path of Gothic Creek. The presence of the oil field alongside traditional place names reflects the ongoing balance between natural landforms and mineral resource extraction.