2020 Map of Birding Island

About this map

The Payette River corridor in Payette County defines this landscape, where complex irrigation systems support the local agricultural economy. Features like the Lower Payette Ditch, Bolton Canal, and Patton Canal crisscross the lowlands near the river, illustrating the vital role of water management in this arid region. The settlement of Fort Wilson and the namesake Birding Island sit amidst a network of drainage and supply lines including Big Willow Creek and the Forty-nine Slough. To the north, the terrain transitions into a series of dissected ridges and canyons, marked by landmarks such as Rock Quarry Gulch, Tucker Canyon, and Clair Rose Gulch. This 2020 survey provides a modern view of how historic land divisions and water rights continue to shape the geography of the western Snake River Plain.