2011 Map of Murphy Waterholes

About this map

Murphy Waterholes define this high desert reach of Lake County, where water sources are the primary landmarks in an otherwise sparse landscape. This 2011 survey illustrates the critical role of these catchment points for livestock and wildlife management, with named sites such as Zero Waterhole, Westside Waterhole, and Socket Waterhole distributed across the terrain. Human activity is evidenced by the Murphy Corral and the thin line of Pistol Spring Rd, which passes near the ephemeral Pistol Lake. The nomenclature on this sheet suggests a legacy of ranching and range management, where even small features like the Cox Butte Waterhole and Murphy Waterhole are vital enough to be named on official topographic records.