2011 Map of Murphys Well

About this map

Murphys Well serves as a primary reference point in this arid stretch of Mineral County, where water sources were historically vital for transit and survival. The landscape is defined by a complex network of ephemeral drainages that converge upon a large, central sandy area, possibly a playa or dry lake bed, which dominates the lower half of the quadrangle. Aside from the established road corridor, the terrain remains largely undeveloped, retaining the character of the Great Basin wilderness as it existed in 2011. Evidence of early resource management can be found at Mud Windmill, a lonely landmark in the eastern reaches of the map that points to the area's history of ranching and livestock grazing.