2011 Map of Buchanan

About this map

Buchanan and the surrounding ranching landscape in Harney County are defined by a network of seasonal water sources and family-named landmarks. The map documents the vital importance of water management in this arid region, showing several engineered points such as the Upper Jones Canyon Reservoir, Lower Jones Canyon Reservoir, and Corcoran Reservoir. The imprint of early settlement is visible through named properties and structures like the Mary Oard Homestead, Long Cabin, and the Poujade Ranch near Cow Creek Valley. This 2011 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey captures a rural territory where natural features like Oard Flat and Poujade Field serve as anchors for local history and geography. Multiple springs, including Demeris Spring and Rattlesnake Spring, feed the drainage systems of Rock Creek and Cow Creek, illustrating the environmental constraints and adaptations of High Desert ranching life.