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1993 Map of Dorris Reservoir

Name: 1993 Topographic Map of Dorris Reservoir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1996
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1996

About this map

The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge dominates the northwestern reaches of this 1993 study, protecting a complex of wetlands and high-plateau waterways. The landscape is defined by its water management systems, notably the namesake Dorris Reservoir and a series of smaller impoundments including Payne Reservoir, Dannhauser Reservoir, and French Reservoir. These features reflect the region's historical reliance on irrigation and water storage for agriculture and conservation in a high-desert environment.

Several creek systems, such as Shields Creek and Fitzhugh Creek, drain the higher elevations, while man-made landmarks like the Old Powerhouse suggest the area's early infrastructure and power generation history. The mapping reveals a sparse settlement pattern, with geographic interest concentrated on the intricate network of canyons—such as Renfro Canyon and White Horse Canyon—and the specific placement of reservoirs like Pine Creek Reservoir that anchor the local hydrology.