1986 Map of Pine Nut Valley

About this map

The Pine Nut Mountains dominate this 1980s landscape, illustrating a high-desert environment defined by mining exploration and water management. Along the western slopes, Slaters Mine and numerous prospects follow the drainage of Buckeye Creek, while the northeastern corner reveals the Blue Danube Mine and an adit tucked into the Buckskin Range. These mining features are set against a backdrop of complex terrain where the Douglas and Lyon county line traverses the ridges. To the east, the elevation drops sharply into the Smith Valley, where the environment shifts to a managed wetland at the State Wildlife Management Area. This area includes the fluctuating waters of Artesia Lake, a critical desert basin feature. The map provides an insightful look at the infrastructure of the era, including a long-distance Pipeline and several identified gravel pits that served the local region.