2013 Map of Big Lost River Sinks

About this map

The Lemhi Range terminates abruptly in this high desert landscape, where the seasonal waters of the Big Lost River vanish into the ground. This transition from mountainous terrain to an arid terminal basin is defined by the Big Lost River Sinks, a hydrologic feature where the river's flow enters the Snake River Plain aquifer. This 2013 survey illustrates a landscape primarily shaped by modern infrastructure and water management. A network of utilitarian routes including Pole Line Rd and Lincoln Blvd crisscross the basin, while the Dry Channel Big Lost River shows the course of the waterway through the flatlands. Geologic and ranching interests are signaled by local naming conventions on routes like Mahogany Butte Rd and Cinder Butte Rd.