2014 Map of Blitzen SW

About this map

Catlow Valley defines the wide, high-desert landscape of this corner of Harney County, illustrating a classic Great Basin basin-and-range profile. The drainage of Guano Slough meanders across the western portion of the terrain, providing a primary hydrological feature in an otherwise arid expanse. This 2014 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey maps the subtle elevation changes across the high plateau, marking the transition between the valley floor and the surrounding upland breaks. The map's sparse human development highlights the remote nature of the region, where land use is dictated by the availability of seasonal water and the sprawling topography of the central Oregon interior.