Black Mesa (Apache-Navajo Counties, Arizona) facts for kids

Black Mesa (also known as Big Mountain) is a large, raised land area in Arizona. It stretches through Navajo County and Apache County.

In the Navajo language, it is called Dziłíjiin, which means 'Black Mountain'. When Mexico ruled Arizona, it was known as Mesa de las Vacas. This Spanish name means 'mesa of the cows'. The mesa looks dark because of its many pinyon-juniper and other evergreen trees.

This satellite image shows northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. You can see the Four Corners Monument (FC) and Black Mesa (B). Other features include the Chuska Mountains (CM) and the Carrizo Mountains (C). Towns like Farmington, New Mexico (F) and Kayenta, Arizona (K) are also marked.

Where is Black Mesa Located?

This mesa is part of the Colorado Plateau. It is found near Kayenta, Arizona, and reaches heights of over 8,168 feet (2,489 meters). The highest point is on its northern edge, close to Kayenta.

Black Mesa has reliable springs that bring water to the surface. This makes it a better place to live than many other dry desert areas nearby. Today, the mesa is shared by the Hopi and Diné (Navajo) tribal lands.

There is also a small Navajo community named Black Mesa. It is located off BIA-8066. This community has a local Chapter House and a school.

The mesa is also part of a larger area called the Black Mesa Basin.

What About Mining on Black Mesa?

This picture shows Black Mesa, located west of Chilchinbito, Arizona.

Since the 1960s, parts of Black Mesa have been strip mined for coal. This work was done by the Peabody Western Coal Company. This mining caused some discussion because of how Peabody Energy used groundwater. They used a lot of water to move the coal.

In 2013, a group called the Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) worked with the Black Mesa Water Coalition. They held a meeting to talk about their concerns regarding the strip mining on the mesa. About 100 people attended this first national gathering.