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1990 Map of Surprise Station

Name: 1990 Topographic Map of Surprise Station
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1990
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1990

About this map

The X L Ranch Indian Reservation and the Modoc National Forest define the high-country landscape of this Modoc County territory as it appeared in 1990. The North Fork Pit River carves a significant corridor through the center of the sheet, joined by tributaries like Joseph Creek and Thoms Creek. This area is marked by its specialized land use, including the Alturas Agr Insp Sta and the Chimney Rock Historical Mon, reflecting both the agricultural management and the cultural history of the region.

Water management is prominent throughout the terrain, with multiple impoundments such as Griener Reservoir, Mud Lake Reservoir, and Porter Reservoir supporting local ranching and irrigation. The presence of Joseph Creek Ranch and the namesake Surprise Station indicate the sparse, distributed settlement pattern typical of the far northeastern California plateau. Researchers will find a detailed look at how these ranching interests and public lands intersect along the river’s fork.