Editing Geography of California (section)

===Modoc Plateau===
In the northeast corner of the state lies the [[Modoc Plateau]], an expanse of [[lava]] flows that formed a million years ago and now lie at an altitude of {{convert|4000|to|5000|ft|m}}.<ref name=ModocWAP/> The plateau has many [[cinder cone]]s, [[juniper]] flats, [[pine]] forests, and seasonal lakes.<ref>{{cite book|title=Fire in California's ecosystems|first=Neil G.|last=Sugihara|page=225|publisher=University of California Press|year=2006}}</ref> The plateau lies between the Cascade Range to the west and the [[Warner Mountains]] to the east.<ref name=ModocWAP>{{cite web|url=http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/WAP/docs/report/ch12-modoc.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502233858/http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/WAP/docs/report/ch12-modoc.pdf|archive-date=2009-05-02|title=Modoc Plateau Region|work=California Wildlife Action Plan|publisher=California Department of Fish and Game|year=2007}}</ref> The [[Lost River (California)|Lost River]] watershed drains the north part of the plateau, while southern watersheds either collect in basin reservoirs or flow into [[Big Sage Reservoir]] and thence to the [[Pit River]].

Nine percent of the plateau is protected as reserves or wilderness areas,<ref name=ModocWAP/> such as the [[Modoc National Wildlife Refuge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/modoc/|title=Modoc National Wildlife Refuge|publisher=US Fish and Wildlife Service}}</ref> The plateau supports large herds of [[mule deer]] (''Odocoileus hemionus''), [[Rocky Mountain Elk]] (''Cervus canadensis''), and [[pronghorn]] (''Antilocapra americana'').<ref name=ModocWAP/> Herds of wild horses and livestock grazing have altered the original high desert ecosystem of the plateau.<ref name=ModocWAP/>