1966 Map of Massacre Lake

About this map

Massacre Lake and Middle Lake anchor this high-desert landscape in northwest Nevada, where the water levels of these intermittent basins define the local geography. The 1960s survey, updated in the early 1980s, reveals a sparse human presence marked primarily by Evans Camp and an extensive network of Jeep Trails used for land management and ranching access. The terrain is dominated by the dramatic rise of Bitner Table and Table Butte, where volcanic geology creates flat-topped mesas overlooking the lake beds below. Small water sources like Patty Martin Lake, a Spring, and a Seep highlight the critical importance of localized hydrology in this arid region of Washoe County. This sheet captures a moment when the area remained largely undeveloped, used primarily for livestock grazing and seasonal passage.