2011 Map of Rock Spring Table

About this map

Rock Spring Table dominates this high-desert landscape in northern Nevada, where water remains the primary driver of human settlement and infrastructure. Small-scale ranching operations like Wilson Ranch and Alkali Ranch are positioned along the western drainage of Virgin Creek, marking the sparse habitation found in this part of Humboldt County. The map documents an intricate network of seasonal water sources and catchment systems essential for life in the Great Basin, from the Rock Spring Table Reservoir to isolated points like Cottonwood Spring and Onion Lake. While the expansive Rock Spring Basin appears largely untouched, the presence of the East Rock Spring Campground along Sagebrush Creek indicates the area's transition into a space for modern recreation and land management. The drainage patterns of Rock Spring and its associated creeks highlight the topographical challenges faced by early settlers and contemporary ranchers alike.