1948 Map of Big Foot Butte

About this map

Big Foot Butte dominates the western portion of this high desert landscape along the border of Idaho and Ada County. Surveyed in the late 1940s, this area is characterized by drainage patterns and isolated water sources that were vital to the livestock and transport history of the Snake River Plain. The map details the seasonal hydrology of the region, specifically Tadpole Lake and the Wind Butte Lakes to the northeast. Tracing the path of Rabbit Creek as it winds through the eastern sections reveals the natural corridors used for movement across the volcanic plateau. While the area lacks dense settlements, the presence of these named water features and the massive profile of the butte provide essential landmarks for understanding the early grazing and surveying history of southern Idaho.