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1963 Map of Dorris Reservoir

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Dorris Reservoir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge anchors the high desert landscape of this 1963 survey, where water management defines the region's geography. Centered on Dorris Reservoir, the map illustrates an intricate system of high-altitude water storage, including Payne Reservoir, Dannhauser Reservoir, and French Reservoir. These basins, tucked into the canyons and gulches of the Modoc plateau, supported the agricultural and power needs of the era, as evidenced by the Old Powerhouse situated along the drainage of Pine Creek.

Transitioning from the reservoir floors to the rugged elevations of the northeast, the terrain is cut by drainage features like Renfro Canyon and White Horse Canyon. The presence of several Jeep Trails and the Parker Creek Road suggest a landscape accessed primarily for resource management and wildlife observation. The map provides a detailed view of the North Fork Pit River headwaters, showing the varied spillway elevations that controlled the seasonal flow through this arid environment.