2018 Map of Snake Lake

About this map

The high desert landscape of Surprise Valley and the eastern edge of Modoc National Forest define this 2018 survey on the California-Nevada border. Water management is a central theme of this arid region, as evidenced by the engineering of the Bare Cr Ditch and the containment of the Sworinger Reservoir. The hydrology of the area transitions from the seasonal waters of Lower Lake and Snake Lake to the rugged drainage systems of Waterbox Canyon and Snowslide Canyon. A network of unpaved transit routes, including Surprise Valley Rd and Co RD 42, provides the primary access through these remote forest and basin lands. Local landmarks like Van Riper Spring and the headwaters of Silver Cr offer specific points of interest for those tracking the historical use of water resources in this tri-county corner of Modoc, Lassen, and Washoe counties.