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1990 Map of Boyd Spring

Name: 1990 Topographic Map of Boyd Spring
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1990
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1990

About this map

Surprise Valley dominates this high-desert landscape in northeastern California, where the expansive Upper Surprise Lake meets the eastern slopes of the Warner Mountains. The map documents a sparsely populated ranching environment centered around the Boyd Spring Ranch and its namesake Boyd Spring. A complex system of water management is visible through numerous named catchments, including Level Reservoir, Hawk Reservoir, and Boggs Reservoir, which support the arid grazing lands between Lieberman Canyon and the valley floor.

Evidence of local resource use appears in the Borrow Pit near the lake's margin, while the natural drainage of the region is defined by seasonal watercourses like First Creek, Second Creek, and Sand Creek. The varied terrain transitions from the dry alkali flats of the Surprise region to the higher elevations of Jackson, providing a detailed look at the hydrology and land use in Modoc County during the late 20th century.