2017 Map of Bogus Bench

About this map

Bogus Bench and the steep escarpment of Bogus Rim define this portion of the high desert in Malheur County, Oregon. This landscape is a complex network of volcanic features and vital water management, where the topography is dotted with numerous small impoundments such as Lava Sinks Reservoir and Little Crater Reservoir. The presence of West Crater speaks to the area's geologic origins, while several named springs and catchments like Venta Spring and Ten Year Reservoir highlight the precarious nature of water in this arid environment. Roads like Miller Ln and Mud Lake Reservoir Rd provide access through the sections of T28S and T29S, connecting various livestock-watering sites such as Indian Camp Reservoir and Bogus Bench Reservoir. The map illustrates a ranching landscape where every drainage, including Mud Cr and its associated reservoirs, is harnessed to support activity on the bench.