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1971 Map of Surveyors Lake

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Surveyors Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Surveyors Lake and the broad expanse of Butcher Flat define this high desert landscape in Harney County as it appeared in the early 1970s. The terrain is characterized by undulating contours and volcanic features, including the prominent rise of Big Red in the eastern portion of the quadrangle. Water is scarce in this arid environment, evidenced by the presence of Shallow Lake, a seasonal or ephemeral body of water typical of the Oregon high desert.

A network of remote tracks, labeled simply as Jeep Trail, provides the only access through this rugged area, reflecting a landscape primarily used for rangeland or seasonal grazing. The lack of permanent structures, schools, or churches highlights the isolation of this corner of the state, where survival and travel depended on seasonal water sources and specialized vehicles. This survey captures the region during a period of standardized topographic mapping, documenting the precise elevation and drainage patterns of the Great Basin's northern edge.