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2011 Map of Butler Mountain

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Butler Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

The East Walker River defines this high-desert landscape in Lyon County, carving a corridor of ranching activity through an otherwise arid basin. In this 2011 survey, established livestock operations like Rowe Ranch, Santa Margarita Ranch, and Rafter Seven Ranch follow the river's path, utilizing the reliable water source in a region dominated by sagebrush and scattered springs. The presence of these named ranching estates suggests a long-standing continuity of land use in western Nevada, where modern routes like Nevada State Hwy 2c and the Rafter 7 Cutoff connect remote homesteads to the broader region.

To the east, the terrain rises toward Butler Mountain, a prominent landmark that overlooks the valley floor. Water remains the primary driver of development and survival here, as evidenced by the distribution of critical upland sources such as Buck Brush Spring, Big Spring, and Box Spring. These features, mapped alongside the primary river system, provide a clear picture of the hydrological infrastructure necessary for high-desert cattle ranching in the early 21st century.