1972 Map of Big Mud Flat

About this map

Big Mud Flat dominates the western half of this Malheur County landscape, illustrating the vital role of water management in the high desert of the early 1970s. The terrain transitions from the broad alkali flats in the west toward the dramatic O W Y H E E B R E A K S in the east, a rugged escarpment where several natural water sources like Whiskey Springs and Willow Springs emerge. Family-named water features such as Harry Page Reservoir, Ben Odell Res, and Knottingham Reservoir reflect a history of ranching and land use, showing how early settlers and the U.S. Geological Survey documented the catchment of seasonal runoff. To the south, the deep incisions of Juniper Canyon and Black Canyon meet near Wrangle Basin, providing a clear view of the complex drainage patterns feeding into the Owyhee river system.