2011 Map of Lay Waterhole

About this map

Desert Valley dominates this 2011 survey, revealing a landscape defined by sparse water resources and cattle ranching infrastructure in Humboldt County. The eponymous Lay Waterhole serves as a primary geographic anchor in this arid basin. The map documents the critical reliance on groundwater, marked by several family-named pumping sites including Banks Windmill, Lee Windmill, and De Long Windmill. These features indicate the persistent agricultural and pastoral footprint in the Great Basin, where name-branded infrastructure provides essential landmarks across an otherwise open terrain. The lack of traditional town centers highlights the isolation and specialized land use of this region at the start of the 21st century.