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2011 Map of Bretz Mine

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Bretz Mine
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Bretz Mine anchors this high-desert landscape in Malheur County, where a complex network of water management features reveals the necessity of irrigation and livestock watering in a dry environment. The terrain is marked by numerous man-made catchments, including North Cottonwood Reservoir, Pretty Rock Reservoir, and Pinky Reservoir, alongside smaller features like Spring Creek Pit Reservoir. These sites, often positioned at the convergence of seasonal drainages like Indian Creek and Cottonwood Creek, illustrate the practical modifications made to the land to support ranching and resource extraction.

Remote roads such as Archie Myers Ranch Rd and Disaster Peak Rd provide the primary access to these isolated points of interest. Notable elevations like Mendi Suri and the high plateau of Flattop rise above the drainages of McDermitt Creek and Whitehorse Creek, defining the local topography. This detailed survey preserves the precise locations of essential water sources like Juniper Spring and Upper Mitchell Spring that were vital for survival in this arid corner of Oregon.