1972 Map of Bottleneck Lake

About this map

Lava flows dominate this high desert landscape in Minidoka County, revealing a terrain defined more by geology than by permanent settlement in the early 1970s. The region is marked by isolated water features such as Bottleneck Lake and Three Forks Lake, which appear as rare catchments in an arid environment. A network of Jeep Trails provides the only passage through the volcanic fields, suggesting a land used primarily for resource management or seasonal access rather than agriculture or township development. To the north, Pronghorn Reservoir and Lower Thumb Reservoir indicate efforts to manage the sparse water supply, while the presence of Larkspur Park in the southeast corner points toward the localized recreational or environmental significance of this volcanic expanse. This survey, based on 1971 aerial photography, captures the stark, unpopulated character of the Snake River Plain’s interior.