Loading map...

2023 Map of Bear Den Butte

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Bear Den Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Craters of the Moon National Preserve occupies the central portion of this Idaho landscape, where the boundary between Blaine and Minidoka counties divides an arid volcanic terrain. The map details a series of volcanic landforms and isolated water sources essential for cattle ranching in the high desert. Prominent elevations like Bear Den Butte, Corral Butte, and Lava Butte rise above the surrounding flats, while Lava Point marks a distinct topographical break.

Water management is the primary sign of human activity here, evidenced by a network of small reservoirs and intermittent lakes. Names such as Bowl Reservoir, Moline Reservoir, and Gerity Reservoir suggest a history of range improvement, while natural catchments like Cream Can Lake, Williams Lake, and Aspitarte Lake are scattered throughout the sections. These features illustrate the precarious nature of water in the Snake River Plain and the reliance on localized basins to sustain life and industry across the lava fields.