1988 Map of Copper Canyon

About this map

The Hawthorne Army Ammunition Plant dominates the desert floor in this 1980s survey, illustrating the significant military presence on the western shore of Walker Lake. The map details the transition from the high ridges of the Wassuk Range down to the water's edge, where a Trailer Park and multiple Boat Ramps mark the recreational use of the shoreline. The industrial and military footprint is balanced by a rugged network of drainage systems and watering points essential for this arid climate, including Wild Horse Spring, Schuet Springs, and Chipmunk Spring. Prospectors have left their mark across the canyons, with numerous Prospects and an Adit noted near the ammunition plant boundary. Canyons like Copper Canyon and Dry Creek carve through the mountains, while man-made features like a Check Dam reflect efforts to manage the sparse but sudden water flow in this high-desert environment.