1990 Map of Calamity Butte

About this map

Calamity Butte serves as the central landmark for this high-elevation landscape within the Malheur National Forest, where the boundary between Grant and Harney counties dissects the terrain. The map reveals a complex network of hydrological features, from the headwaters of Calamity Creek and Beaverdam Creek to numerous named springs such as Tin Can Spring and Oard Spring. The drainage patterns, including Brophy Canyon and Elbow Canyon, define the movement through these highlands. Human presence is sparse, indicated primarily by isolated markers of ranching and land use such as the Wade Ranch, H&V Cabin, and Potts Field. The concentration of family-named water sources and flats like Jackknife Flat suggests a history of seasonal grazing and forest management in a region defined by its water scarcity and specific topographic points of interest.