2023 Map of Burnt Flat

About this map

Burnt Flat and Little Mud Flat characterize this high-desert basin in eastern Oregon, where a sophisticated system of water management allows for seasonal ranching. The landscape is defined by a network of catchments and natural drainages, including Mud Creek and Cedar Creek, which feed numerous named reservoirs such as Prince Albert Reservoir, Dowell Reservoir, and Buckskin Reservoir. These features, often named for early settlers or ranching families, indicate a history of land use focused on livestock in a territory where water is the primary currency.