2013 Map of Shumla

About this map

The Rio Grande and the Pecos River converge in this high-desert landscape, creating a complex network of deep drainages and limestone breaks. The small settlement of Shumla sits north of the international boundary, positioned near the railroad corridor that traverses this arid terrain. The mapping reveals the reach of the Amistad Reservoir, where rising waters back into the lower canyons of the Pecos and the sweeping curve of Shumla Bend. This topography is defined by significant vertical relief, where erosion has carved prominent features such as Lewis Canyon, Shackelford Canyon, and the appropriately named Painted Canyon. The intersection of these major watercourses and the dry canyon systems illustrates the stark environmental transition from river-level riparian zones to the surrounding desert uplands.