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1954 Map of Alturas

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Alturas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The Modoc Plateau dominates this northeastern California landscape, characterized by volcanic features and expansive high-desert basins. Alturas serves as the central hub where State Highway 299 meets U.S. Highway 395, surrounded by the extensive Modoc National Forest. The map documents a complex water management system involving the Pit River, Clear Lake Reservoir, and the alkaline stretches of Goose Lake near the Oregon border.

Tribal lands and protected wilderness areas are prominent, including the XL Ranch Ind Res and the Fort Bidwell Indian Res. To the west, the volcanic geology is highlighted by the Lava Beds National Monument and Glass Mountain. Small agricultural settlements like Canby, Adin, and Lookout are connected by a network of timber and transit routes, including the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific railroads that serviced the region's ranching and logging industries.