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1968 Map of Hot Creek

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Hot Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

Marys River and its intricate network of tributaries define the high desert topography of Elko County in the late 1960s. The map illustrates a landscape shaped by water and ranching, where small-scale homesteading and livestock operations are anchored to reliable springs. Working family sites like Gibbs Ranch, the Anderson Homestead, and Dixons Marys River Ranch appear along the valley floors, connected by unimproved trails that follow the natural drainage of Wildcat Creek and Currant Creek.

The presence of Hot Creek Springs and the uniquely named Bathtub Spring highlights the critical importance of water sources in this arid environment. Evidence of local activity and land use is sparse but specific, including a Prospect near the center of the quadrangle and a Borrow Pit to the south. The mapping of numerous fences and water-related infrastructure like the Water Tank in Fawn Basin provides researchers with a clear view of the mid-century ranching footprint.