Modoc Plateau

The Modoc Plateau is a large volcanic tableland in the northeast corner of the state. Most of the ares sits at an elevation of between 4,000 and 6,000 feet. The bulk of the plateau is composed of ancient lava flows and volcanic tuff dating back between 10 and 2 million years ago during the Tertiary period.

It is lonely country out in the Modoc. Primary industries such as farming and ranching along with a little lumbering and mineral extraction are the only major industries. The plateau is covered primarily in a mixture of grasslands and ponderosa pine forests and is home to several national wildlife refuges. Seasonal tourism to these federal lands brings in much needed revenue. .

Private Agriculture on Public Lands

Approximately 17,000 acres are leased by farmers for growing potato, onion, horseradish, alfalfa, and cereal grains within the Public Lease Lands program administered by the U.S Bureau of Reclamation. Recent events in neighboring states have made the leasing of public lands an issue in how the federal government should best manage these lands.

Irrigated Agriculture

A creeping "sprinkler" crawls across irrigated pasture. Just as elsewhere in the state, irrigation is the norm, not the exception, for growing crops in this land of little rain.

Lava Beds National Monument

Irrigated farmland is seen here behind a modest volcanic rock outcrop. In the distance a large volcanic dome (on right) competes with the snow-capped stratovolcano of Mt. Shasta for prominence.

Lava Beds National Monument

Here we see the opening to a lava cave or tube in the national monument. The area is riddled with such underground chasms. In fact, Kintpuash, also known as Captain Jack, a chief of the Modoc Tribe, hid out for months in such caves while directing his native warriors during the 1872-73 Modoc War.

Farms and Fields

If it were not for the hills in the background this scene could stand in for Kansas.

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