Climate Summary (made with AI, use with caution)
| Elephant Butte, New Mexico Climate Summary Elephant Butte, New Mexico, experiences a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh) characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. Temperature • Average annual temperature: 63.9°F (17.7°C) • Average summer temperature (June-August): 92.2°F (33.4°C) • Average winter temperature (December-February): 44.5°F (7°C) • Record high temperature: 118°F (48°C) • Record low temperature: 10°F (-12°C) Precipitation • Average annual precipitation: 8.6 inches (218 mm) • Most precipitation occurs during the summer monsoon season (July-September) • Droughts are common, especially during the winter months Humidity • Average annual humidity: 38% • Humidity is generally low throughout the year Wind • Elephant Butte is located in a windy area • Average wind speed: 12 mph (19 km/h) • Strong winds are common during the spring and summer Sunshine • Average annual sunshine: 320 days • Elephant Butte receives abundant sunshine throughout the year Other Climate Features • Dust storms can occur during the spring and summer • Fog is rare • Severe thunderstorms can occur during the summer monsoon season Climate Change Impacts • Elephant Butte is experiencing rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation due to climate change • Droughts are becoming more frequent and severe • Extreme heat events are becoming more common • These changes are impacting the local ecosystem and water resources |
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| Facts & Historical Information (made with AI, use with caution)
| Elephant Butte Dam • Completed in 1916, it's the 5th largest earthen dam in the US, impounding the Rio Grande to create Elephant Butte Reservoir. • Its construction led to the displacement of Native American tribes and the establishment of the Mesilla Valley Project, irrigating thousands of acres. Elephant Butte Reservoir • The largest reservoir in New Mexico, providing water for irrigation, flood control, and recreation. • Home to a diverse ecosystem, including migratory birds, fish, and reptiles. Natural History • The area around Elephant Butte is known for its unique geology, including the Caballo Mountains and the Rio Grande Rift. • The reservoir has created a riparian habitat, attracting wildlife such as beavers, otters, and herons. Personalities • John Wesley Powell, explorer and geologist, surveyed the area in the 1870s and named the butte after an elephant-shaped rock formation. • Elephant Butte was the site of a World War II internment camp for Japanese Americans. • The town of Elephant Butte is home to artists, writers, and musicians who have been inspired by the area's natural beauty. |
| Tourist Attractions
| 1.Elephant Butte Dam and Lake: The largest dam in the United States by volume, Elephant Butte Dam impounds the Rio Grande to create Elephant Butte Lake, a popular spot for fishing, boating, and swimming. 2.Pancho Villa State Park: This park commemorates the raid by Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa on the town of Columbus, New Mexico in 1916. The park includes a museum, a replica of Villa's headquarters, and a hiking trail. 3.Truth or Consequences Mineral Hot Springs: These hot springs are said to have healing properties, and visitors can soak in the mineral-rich waters at several different pools. |
| Nearby Cities:| Truth or Consequences, NM | | El Paso, TX | | Las Cruces, NM | Socorro, TX | | Alamogordo, NM | Horizon City, TX | | Sunland Park, NM | Los Lunas, NM | | Chaparral, NM | Deming, NM | | Silver City, NM | Anthony, NM | | San Elizario, TX | |
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