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1983 Map of Alturas

Name: 1983 Topographic Map of Alturas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Alturas serves as the focal point of this northeastern California landscape, where the Pit River and its various forks converge near the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge. The terrain is defined by the massive uplift of the Warner Mountains, separating the high volcanic plateau from the dramatic desert basin of Surprise Valley to the east. The Southern Pacific railroad tracks trace a critical north-south corridor through the Pit River Valley, connecting the small ranching and timber outposts of Likely and Madeline.

Evidence of early water management for agriculture is visible in the network of catchments like West Valley Reservoir and Dorris Reservoir. The map illustrates the distinct transition from the forested heights of the Modoc National Forest to the arid alkali flats of Upper Lake and Lower Lake. These features reveal a region defined by its isolation and its reliance on the complex hydrology of the High Desert, supporting isolated settlements like Eagleville and Cedarville at the base of the mountain range.