2018 Map of Smith Well

About this map

Franklin River meanders across this high desert landscape, defining the hydrological character of the western portion of Butte Valley. The map highlights a remote ranching and grazing environment where water sources are the primary landmarks for navigation and settlement. The eponymous Smith Well sits near the river's path, while the southern reaches open into the grassy expanse of Big Meadow. The presence of the CCC Rd suggests a period of infrastructure development by the Civilian Conservation Corps, likely aimed at managing these interior rangelands. Further east, the small settlement of Ruby Valley provides a human anchor in a terrain otherwise marked by ephemeral drainages like Warden Cr and Withington Cr. This survey documents a critical intersection of natural water systems and early twentieth-century land management efforts in Elko County.