1979 Map of Blue Lake

About this map

Blue Lake sits at the confluence of several major waterways in this late-1970s topographic study of Humboldt County. The landscape is defined by the winding course of the Mad River and its numerous tributaries, including Powers Creek and the North Fork Mad River. Settlement is concentrated in the southwestern corner, where municipal infrastructure like the Sewage Disposal Pond and Water Tanks supports the community. Beyond the town, the terrain rises sharply toward Tip Top Ridge and Wiregrass Ridge, featuring a series of grassy openings such as Elk Prairie, Fawn Prairie, and Round Prairie. These high-elevation clearings among the timbered ridges suggest a long history of seasonal grazing or natural meadow formations. Smaller locales like Liscom Hill, Camp Bauer, and the Ford Ranch are connected by a network of trails, while legacy industrial features including Quarries and a Borrow Pit appear near Railroad Canyon Creek.