2012 Map of Swales Mountain

About this map

Swales Mountain and the southern reach of the Independence Mountains dominate this high-desert landscape in Elko County. The 2012 survey illustrates a region defined by complex drainage patterns and essential water sources, such as Louse Spring and Mud Springs, which have long served as vital landmarks in this arid terrain. A notable human imprint on the land is the Carlin Drift Fence, a feature signifying the area's grazing and land management history. Numerous seasonal waterways, including Swales Creek, Fish Creek, and Cottonwood Creek, carve through the elevations of Fish Creek Mountain and collect in the Camp Creek Basin. This map provides a detailed view of the natural topography and the sparse but significant infrastructure required for ranching and resource management in the Great Basin.