2017 Map of Balm Creek Reservoir

About this map

Whitman National Forest dominates this high-elevation terrain in Baker County, where water management is central to the landscape's utility. The Balm Creek Reservoir and smaller Gover Reservoir sit among a complex network of canyons and gulches, reflecting the importance of storage in this arid region. Man-made water systems like Phillips Ditch and Steward Ditch suggest historical efforts to divert resources from natural courses like Balm Creek and Goose Creek for irrigation or mining downstream. The topography is defined by sharp elevation changes, from the heights of Red Knob and Red Ridge down into Dark Canyon and Excelsior Gulch. An extensive network of Forest Service roads, including NFD Road 70 RD and NFD Road 7040 RD, provides access to this remote portion of the forest, which is still punctuated by landmarks like Surprise Spring and Goose Lake.