Elephant Butte Reservoir
|
|
| Missing image Merge_articles.png | It has been proposed that this article or section be merged with Elephant Butte Dam and Reservoir.
This request may be discussed on the article's talk page. |
Elephant Butte reservoir in New Mexico was created by a dam across the Rio Grande in 1916. It is 40 miles (65km) long and covers 36,500 acres (150 km²). It was initially made for flood control and to provide irrigation water, however it now hosts a major watersports resort. The nearest city is Truth or Consequences.
What is a butte?
The name "Elephant Butte" refers to a volcanic core similar to Devil's tower, Wyoming. It is now a island in the lake. The butte was said to have the shape of an elephant.