1963 Map of Hansen Island

About this map

Middle Alkali Lake dominates the center of this 1963 survey, reflecting the arid hydrology of eastern Modoc County. The shoreline is characterized by numerous water sources, including a series of Flowing Wells and Springs that supported the early ranching efforts in the western Surprise Valley. The presence of Cottonwood Creek and Owl Creek suggest seasonal drainages that provided vital water to the lowlands along Surprise Valley Road. On the eastern shore, the terrain rises toward the California-Nevada state line, where the landscape is crossed by a Jeep Trail and intermittent drainages like Bull Creek. The map documents a sparsely settled region where survival was closely tied to the few named water features like Fortynine Creek and the central prominence of Hansen Island.