2020 Map of Buck Butte

About this map

Madras serves as the northern anchor for this high desert landscape in Jefferson County, where modern residential development along SE McTaggart Rd meets the open expanse of the Crooked River National Grassland. The terrain is defined by the sharp verticality of Buck Butte and the deep incisions of Wagonblast Canyon and Dewies Canyon. This 2020 survey illustrates a complex hydrological network of ephemeral drainages and vital water sources that have historically supported life in this arid region, including Cottonwood Spring, Juniper Spring, and McMeen Spring. The drainage of Willow Cr dominates the central valley, while the southern reaches are marked by the rugged descent into Gray Butte Cr. The map captures the interface between the growing rural-residential grid and the protected federal lands, showing how roads like SE Rancho Ln transition into the managed wilderness of the grassland.