1993 Map of Snake Lake

About this map

The Warner Mountains dominate the western horizon of this survey, where the South Warner Wilderness and Modoc National Forest preserve a landscape of steep canyons and high peaks like Hat Mountain. To the east, the terrain drops sharply into the Surprise Valley, a contrasting expanse of flat basin floor characterized by alkaline waters and seasonal drainage systems. This transition is marked by the presence of Bare Ranch, a significant local landmark that includes the Bare Ranch Airport and an extensive irrigation network including the Bare Creek Ditch. Hydrological patterns are central to the area's character, from the high-elevation Snake Lake and Sworinger Reservoir to the vast, shallow reaches of Lower Lake in the valley basin. The map captures a moment of managed ranching and wilderness preservation, where drainages like Silver Creek and Barber Creek descend from the forest into the arid valley below.