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1971 Map of The Buttes

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of The Buttes
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1991
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1991

About this map

Adobe Range dominates the western skyline of this 1971 survey, where the high desert terrain of Elko County gives way to the prominent volcanic formations of The Buttes. This landscape is defined by its arid drainage patterns and an abundance of seasonal water sources, evidenced by numerous Springs and the riparian corridor of Willow Creek. The map reveals a land utilized for its natural resources and livestock range, with Coal Mine Road providing access into the depths of Coal Mine Canyon in the northeast.

Evidence of the region's ranching history is visible in the network of 4wd tracks and scattered corrals that link Willow Springs and other water points across the Basin. This 1971 field check captures the area's transition into the late 20th century, where the fundamental infrastructure of the Great Basin—defined by canyon access like Jackstone Canyon and reliable spring locations—remained the primary framework for local movement and land use.