1984 Map of Poverty Basin South

About this map

Poverty Basin and the adjacent Alkali Valley define the arid landscape of this 1984 Lake County survey. The map details a sophisticated network of water management essential for survival in this high desert environment, where livestock and wildlife rely on scattered catchments. Among these are the Brattain Reservoir No 11 and Brattain Reservoir No 8, which, along with named water sources like Saunders Well, indicate the historical footprint of ranching operations. The topography is further punctuated by specialized sites like Poverty Corners Waterhole, Knob Waterhole, and Rim Waterhole, offering a precise record of the regional hydrology and land use before late-century shifts in range management.