1993 Map of Steele Swamp

About this map

Steele Swamp and the high desert wetlands along the California-Oregon border dominate this landscape as it appeared in the 1990s. The area is defined by the intersection of the Modoc National Forest and Fremont National Forest, where livestock management and water conservation are central to the landscape. Scattered ranching operations like Grobe Ranch and the Steele Swamp Ranch rely on a network of resources including Fourmile Reservoir and numerous named water sources such as Warm Spring and Bird Spring. This survey detail includes the topographic transition from Wilson Valley into the forested uplands of Bird Spring Ridge, tracing the headwaters of Spring Creek and Fourmile Creek. The map provides an intricate look at the hydraulic infrastructure of the High Desert, marked by dozens of small stock ponds and springs that have supported seasonal grazing for generations.