Elephant Butte Dam
Elephant Butte Dam
The Elephant Butte Dam in New Mexico was completed in 1916. The Dam was built to provide flood control and irrigation down-river. The largest body of water in New Mexico was created by its construction. For El Paso, the opening of the dam had a huge impact as it ensured a steady water supply. It was one of the reasons that El Paso developed to a significant industrial, commercial, and transportation center in the Southwest. Many businesses, especially smelting and refining companies, settled here and agricultural production increased. The Elephant Butte Lake has also been used for recreational activities, such as boating, fishing and paragliding.