1988 Map of Ruby Lake

About this map

Ruby Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape in northeastern Nevada, dividing the Huntington Valley from the expansive Ruby Valley. This 1988 map illustrates a remote Great Basin ecosystem where the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Franklin Lake serve as critical wetlands amidst the arid terrain. The map details the transition from the timbered heights of the Humboldt National Forest to the playas and alkaline flats of Dry Lake Flat and Alkali Flat. Small, isolated settlements like Jiggs, Shanty Town, and Indian Village are interconnected by a sparse network of roads, including 228 and 278, which skirt the edges of the Maverick Springs Range and the Diamond Mountains. Numerous seasonal drainages such as Mitchell Creek and Cassillini Creek flow from the peaks toward the basin floors, highlighting the vital relationship between the high-altitude snowpack and the valley's water resources.