1983 Map of Alturas

About this map

The Pit River system, including its north and south forks, drains the high plateau of Northeastern California in this 1983 topographic study. The city of Alturas serves as the regional hub at the confluence of these waterways, positioned near the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge. The landscape is dominated by the massive Warner Mountains, which separate the river valleys from the arid Great Basin terrain to the east, where the Upper Alkali Lake, Middle Alkali Lake, and Lower Alkali Lake chain parallels the Nevada border. Smaller settlements such as Likely, Madeline, and Eagleville are connected by a network of roads and the Southern Pacific railroad line. Large protected areas, including the Modoc National Forest and the South Warner Wilderness, illustrate the region's commitment to land conservation and wildlife management during the late twentieth century.