2012 Map of Wilson Reservoir

About this map

Wilson Reservoir and the adjacent Rawhide Reservoir dominate this high-desert basin in northern Elko County. The landscape is defined by the hydrologic network of Indian Creek and Silver Creek, which feed into the northern valleys before draining toward the central reservoirs. This 2012 survey illustrates the vital role of water management in the Great Basin, where man-made catchments provide essential resources for local ranching operations. Evidence of this agricultural heritage is grounded at Mitchum Ranch, a solitary named outpost situated near the branching drainages of Wilson Creek. The terrain transitions from the broad Silver Creek Valley in the north to the southern reaches where Deep Creek cuts through the more varied topography. This map serves as a detailed record of water infrastructure and land use in a region where isolated ranching and resource management are the primary drivers of settlement.