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2011 Map of Elk Butte

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

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Watering holes and remote camps define the high desert character of Lake County in this early 21st-century study. The landscape is dotted with named springs and tanks, such as Immigrant Waterhole, Schlitz Waterhole, and the aptly named Oblong Waterhole, reflecting the critical importance of water management for cattle and wildlife in this arid region. These features, along with names like Spook Waterhole and Jewel Waterhole, suggest a history of seasonal use by ranchers and travelers moving through the basin.

Prominent geological landmarks such as Elk Butte and Elk Mountain rise above the surrounding terrain, providing orientation points near the Elk Butte Camp. To the east, the Black Rim and Dragon Rock mark significant topographical shifts. Navigation through the area relies on a network of Bureau of Land Management routes, including BLM Road 6121-0-A0 and BLM Road 6111-0-B0, which connect the isolated high-ground features like Pine Ridge to the wider county road system.