2011 Map of Tumtum Lake

About this map

Tumtum Lake sits at the southern reach of this arid basin in Harney County, illustrating the remote ranching landscape of the Great Basin at the start of the 21st century. The map depicts a network of seasonal watercourses and drainage patterns, including Catlow Creek and the long course of Trout Creek, which flows past several isolated family holdings. These operations, such as Outerkirk Ranch, Sherburn Ranch, and Trout Creek Ranch, are connected by a sparse road system featuring Whitehorse Ranch Rd and Old Trout Creek Rd. The terrain transitions from the floor of the Alvord Valley toward the rising slopes of the White Horse Mountains in the northeast, while the prominent Snake Den Butte stands as a distinct landmark in the west. This survey provides a precise record of land use and water management in a region where cattle ranching remains the primary human footprint.