Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-11-27
ELEP PLANT BUTTE
LAKE IS POSTED
is BIRD REF ICE
More Than 70 Different
Kinds Are Afforded Pro-
lection; Place Is an Ideal
Pleasure Resort.
Special Correspondence to The JonrnnI.l

Especial Correspondence to The Jonrnnl1
Las Cruces, N. NJ, Nov. 26.-Ele-
plant Butte lake, one of the at
tractive links of the national all
year park to be created in southern |
New Mexico, is generally conceded |
to be the largest artificial reservoir |
In the world. The lake is forty |
five miles in length and has shore |
line of 200 miles. The big basin is |
included in one OF Americas |
largest reservations for the protec-
ton Of native birds.
The storage works, which are
located seventy-four miles north of |
Las Cruces, form the fountain from |
which water is drawn, as required,
to irrigate 10000 acres of land in
southern New Mexico, northern
Texas and old Mexico. The dam,
erected by the United States recla-
nation service at a cost of $1,000
000 is 306 feet in height. 1885 feet
in length and contains more than
100000 cubic yards of concrete.
The lake is situated in q desert dis
trict 4,400 feet above sea level, and
is surrounded by mountains. II is
ideally located as a pleasure resort.
Several thousand persons. includ-
ing tourists from various parts of
America, visit the lake annually.
Cabailo Mountains.
The Caballo mountains to the
South are within hiking distance of
the dam. Geronimo's pass, named
for the Indian chieftain, whose
raids carried him through these
mountains, is ever a reminder to
"the old timers of the terror car
ried by the mention of his name.
The Black range, a spur OF the
Rockies is plainly visible from the
butte near the dam. The pictur-
esque San Mateos, rising abruptly
from the plains to the northwest. is
the habitat Of deer, bear. wild tur-
key and other game. Thirty miles
to the north Is the Fra Cristobal
range, the outline of which repre-
sents an Egyptian mummy.
The ruins of old Fort McRae. one
Of the chain of strongholds on the
Rio Grande occupied bv federal
troops during the troublesome
frontier days, are within tho res
ervoir, about an hours ride north
Of the dam. In its uan the fort
was the sole mea0s Of protecting
settlers in that district from the
ravaSes of the hostile reds. Evil
dence Of the many encounters 10
given by shells and arrowheads
found occasionally in the hills near
| the site of the engulfed fort.
Extinct Volcano.
The outstanding and perhaps the
most ancient landmark on the Rio
Grande is the extinct volcano
which, on account of its peculiar
resemblance of shape to that Of an
elephants head. is called Elephant
Butte. This mass of volcanic rock,
rising 400 feet above the old river
channel, has been a guide to tray
olers for centuries. Today it is one
of the many islands formed by the
lake. The view at sunset is well
worth the climb over the rough
trail which winds from the bottom
10 the top. The flat top also af-
lords an ideal spot for picnic par
ties.
The climate Is mild and dry. In
abe Spring months there is sutfi-
eient precipitation to bring forth
Wild flowers and to cause an aWak-
ening of all nature on the hills and
in the valleys, the result of which
is a gradual change from the desert
gray to a decided touch of green,
while along the banks of the river
the tOrnillo. mesquite and alamo
cI8the themselves in leaves to re-
main green until late in the fall.
The annual mean temperature is
about co degrees. The yearly rain
iall is from eight to twelve inches.
In 1920 there were 243 clear days,
sixty-seven partly cloudy days and
only fifty-siX cloudy days.
! Earih Cools Rapidly.
Owing to the high altitude and
Ahe cloudless night sky the earth
Irools rapidly after the sun sinks be-
hind the hills. For this reason the
hot, sultry nights so characteristic
lbf the crowded cities, are unknown
lat Elephant Butte. A high tenn
literature during the day is usually
followed by cool nights and morn
Iings.
! Probably in no other part OF
| America is there a more interesting
Virgin field for the study of bird
life than exists in the lake district.
IThe reservation, created by eXecu-
Tive order February 25. 1909, COM
nrises Elephant Butte lake and a
harrow strip of land which forms
Ijts 200-mile shore line. Since 1915
the reservation has been posted ana
Regularly inspected by Officers oil
1.-THE United States biological survey
The most important of the sew
Ientv different kinds Of birds on the
reserve are twenty--one species Oh
waterfowl and two of wading blrds,
Falt migratory. Fifteen species OF
ducks and geese We're observed dur
ling n recent visit to the lake. There
are three species of grebes. repre-
tsenting more than 1000 individual
Thirds, also pelican. cormorants, blue
Theron, kildeer plover, belted king
fisher, sparrows. canon toWhees,
FArizona cardinals, white-throated
shrikes, pipits, wrens solitaire,
lnuail. ruby-crowned kinglets and
mountain bluebirds, western rob-
bins and thrushes.
H Lovers of song and game birds,
Isays one interested in the district
I'"will not overlook the Rio GRANGE
Preservation. There every point OF
tyision is within eye-range of noun
tItains, rugged canyons, or parkllKes
Iforests. The climate contains. all
the elements that benefit any phys
Ideal condition that needs rest. re-
newed energy. or bracer without
la reaction"
i Substantial Buildings.
/ With the idea of making Ele-
kphant Butte a permanent resort,
the United States reclamation serV-
Hce erected substantial buildings at
Tho 1lnper camp to house the Off