1982 Map of Airport Lake

About this map

The China Lake Naval Weapons Center dominates this high desert landscape, encompassing vast stretches of the Argus Range and Coso Basin. This 1982 provisional survey illustrates the intersection of military operations and dramatic geology, where the broad, flat reaches of Airport Lake and Dry Lake sit below steep-walled formations. Features such as Petroglyph Canyon and Renegade Canyon hint at the area's ancient human and geological history, while Volcano Butte and Wild Horse Mesa define the topographic relief. The map reveals the isolation of the territory, with only a solitary Mine and the ephemeral Coso Wash breaking the arid expanse. It provides a technical look at the restricted Coso Basin at a time when the region was primarily dedicated to weapons testing and research.