2022 Map of Isla

About this map

The Rio Grande marks the international boundary between the United States and Mexico in this riverine section of El Paso County. The landscape is defined by an intricate network of irrigation and drainage infrastructure essential to valley agriculture, including the Hansen Lateral, Guadalupe Lateral, and the Fabens Waste Channel. These man-made watercourses crisscross the alluvial plain, creating distinct land areas such as San Elizario Island and Lower Island. For those tracing local family histories, the map identifies two significant burial sites: La Isla Cem and Our Lady Of Guadalupe Cem. Transportation in this borderland is anchored by the Tornillo Spur railroad and a grid of rural routes like Wingo Reserve Rd and Tornillo Guadalupe Rd, which provide access to the dispersed farmsteads and agricultural plots along the river.