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1968 Map of Lake Abert South

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

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

The dramatic precipice of the Abert Rim dominates this 1960s survey of Lake County, dropping sharply from high timbered plateaus toward the alkaline waters of Lake Abert. This high-desert landscape is defined by its verticality and scarce water sources, where family-named landmarks like Johnson Ranch and the Chewaucan River mark the few habitable pockets at the base of the escarpment. The drainage pattern is distinctive, with seasonal flows like Juniper Creek and Poison Creek carving through the rimrock.

Upland areas above the rim reveal a network of isolated water bodies and springs essential for cattle and wildlife, including Mule Lake, Paddys Lake, and the high-elevation Colvin Lake. These interior basins are accessed primarily by a series of primitive trails and jeep trails that navigate the high ground around Colvin Timbers. The mapping captures the intersection of traditional ranching geography with the technical precision of late-century photogrammetric methods.