2014 Map of Elk Butte

About this map

Elk Butte and Elk Mtn dominate this high-desert landscape in Lake County, where water is the defining resource for ranching and wildlife. The distribution of named springs and catchments such as Immigrant Waterhole, Bourbon Waterhole, and Jewel Waterhole reveals the critical infrastructure of the high range. The topography is marked by volcanic features like Black Rim and the isolated peak of Fredrick Butte, connected by Bureau of Land Management routes including BLM 6111-0-80. The name Emigrant appearing along the northern elevations suggests the historical passage of travelers through this arid corridor. This 2014 survey captures the persistence of traditional land use and the reliance on scattered water sources like Schlitz Waterhole and Best Waterhole across the high plateaus.