1980 Map of Salt Marsh

About this map

Salt Marsh Desert defines this arid stretch of northwestern Nevada, where groundwater resources and saline features dominate the landscape. In this 1980 survey, the interplay between water and mineral deposits is evident at the Salt Works Well 3883 and several instances of ruins that suggest earlier human attempts to harness the land's resources. To the west, the topography rises sharply at Burro Mountain, with travelers crossing the ridge via Burro Mountain Pass. The lowlands are marked by extensive alkali flats and a series of artesian features, including Flowing Well 3889 and other indexed flowing wells. The northern drainage is captured by Buffalo Slough and the Parker Reservoirs, while Smoke Creek cuts through the southern portion of the quadrangle, illustrating the drainage patterns that characterize this high desert environment during the late twentieth century.