1987 Map of Willows

About this map

Mendocino National Forest dominates the western half of this landscape, where high peaks like Hull Mountain and Anthony Peak overlook a complex drainage system including the Black Butte River and Eel River. The terrain transitions sharply from these highlands to the agricultural Sacramento Valley floor, where the Sacramento River forms the eastern boundary near Corning and Hamilton City. Water management is central to the valley's development, evidenced by the presence of Black Butte Lake and the Stony Gorge Reservoir along Stony Creek. The north-south corridor of Interstate 5 and the Southern Pacific railroad connect the primary settlements of Willows, Orland, and Richfield. Smaller communities such as Newville, Chrome, and Lodoga sit at the interface of the valley and the foothills, marking the historical extent of ranching and early commerce in this part of Glenn and Tehama counties.