1984 Map of McDermid Ranch

About this map

McDermid Ranch sits at the base of the Cherry Creek Range, where the steep western slopes descend into the wide expanse of the Steptoe Valley. This 1980s landscape in Elko County is defined by its water management and livestock infrastructure, featuring a network of irrigation ditches including the Per Ditch and P Ditch. The distribution of vital water sources like Julians Hole, Phalen Well, and Cheat Grass Spring reveals the essential patterns of high-desert ranching and survival in this arid terrain. In the northeast, the Sandstone Quarry indicates a localized industrial presence. Deep canyons such as Taylor Canyon and Wood Canyon cut through the mountains, providing the primary drainage routes for seasonal runoff through McDermid Creek and Cherry Creek toward the valley floor.