2016 Map of Shumla

About this map

The Rio Grande and the Pecos River converge in this borderlands landscape, creating a complex series of deep drainages and canyon systems. Centered on the Amistad National Recreation Area, the topography is dominated by the winding course of the Amistad Reservoir as it fills the carved basins of the primary rivers. The small settlement of Shumla sits north of a large meander known as Shumla Bend, providing a point of reference along the transit corridor of Highway 90. Dramatic relief is evident in the numerous named cuts through the limestone, including Lewis Canyon, Shackelford Canyon, and Painted Canyon. These features define the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, where the river serves as both a physical barrier and a shared geographic center for the region.