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1963 Map of Benham Falls

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Benham Falls
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Deschutes River rapids and dramatic volcanic geology dominate this landscape within the Deschutes National Forest. The map documents a sequence of natural river features including Lava Island Falls, Dillon Falls, and Benham Falls, where the water navigates extensive Lava flows. These volcanic deposits are interspersed with riparian areas like Ryan Ranch Meadow and Lava Island.

By the early 1980s, the development of Sunriver appears in the southern portion of the sheet, featuring a Golf Course, Sewage Disposal plant, and an airport. Transportation corridors such as the Cascade Lakes Highway and the Burlington Northern railroad skirt the edges of the river valley, while industrial activity is noted at several Cinder Pits and a Borrow Pit used for local materials. This edition reflects the transition from a purely recreational and timber forest to a more structured residential and resort-oriented environment.