2021 Map of Ballarat

About this map

Ballarat sits at the edge of the Panamint Valley, serving as a focal point in a landscape defined by the steep elevation changes of the Panamint Range. This 2021 study documents the varied hydrologic features of the desert floor and its rising canyons, including Warm Sulphur Springs and Post Office Spring. The map captures the meeting of the Panamint Valley and the Mojave Desert, where the Alkali Flat contrasts with the high points of Slims Peak. The drainage patterns are clearly defined through Surprise Canyon and Pleasant Canyon, with parts of the eastern territory protected within Death Valley National Park. The inclusion of the Suprise Canyon Creek Wild and Scenic River designation highlights the environmental significance of this arid corridor, where essential water sources like Limekiln Springs and Brewery Spring have historically dictated movement and settlement.