2018 Map of The Gouge Eye

About this map

The Fortification Range dominates this corner of Lincoln County, defining a landscape shaped by narrow canyons and isolated water sources. Named for its distinctive topography, The Gouge Eye sits at the heart of this high-desert terrain, where seasonal drainages like Smiley Canyon and Cottonwood Canyon carve through the ridges. The scarcity of water in this arid environment is evident by the scattered locations of vital points such as Gouge Eye Spring, Wild Horse Spring, and Cow Heaven Spring. To the east, the land opens into Spring Valley, showing the transition from the vertical relief of the mountains to the broader valley floor. This survey documents the complex system of springs, including Fortification Spring and Poor Cow Spring, that have historically sustained life and livestock in this remote section of Nevada.