2017 Map of Burns

About this map

Burns and the neighboring industrial town of Hines occupy the high desert floor of the northern Harney Basin. This 2017 study illustrates the complex water management required in this arid landscape, dominated by the multi-channeled Silvies River and its intricate distributaries such as Newman Slough, Foley Slough, and Whiting Slough. The cultural history of the area is well-preserved through several distinct burial grounds, including the Burns Paiute Cem and Paiute Cem II, reflecting the presence of the Indian Village west of the city center. Geothermal activity is evident at Hot Spring and Reedland Warm Springs, while the legacy of the local timber economy is marked by the Hines Mill Pond. The transition from the rugged western hills of Heifer Canyon to the eastern wetlands of Potters Swamp highlights the varied terrain of this high-altitude valley.