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2017 Map of Copeland Reservoirs

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Copeland Reservoirs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Copeland Butte and the surrounding high desert plains of Malheur County are defined by an intricate network of water management features in this 21st-century survey. The landscape is dotted with named reservoirs such as Robinson Reservoir and Esplin Reservoir, which capture runoff in an otherwise arid environment. These features, along with Slayton Well, suggest the ongoing importance of livestock grazing and water rights in this part of Eastern Oregon.

Remote transportation routes like Crowley Rd and Antelope Flat Rd cross the terrain, connecting isolated points across the broad expanse of Antelope Flat. The topography shows a transition from the volcanic heights of the butte down to the seasonal catchments of Little Mud Flat. Researchers can trace the drainage patterns of Butte Cr as it feeds into the primary Copeland Reservoirs, illustrating how the modern ranching economy utilizes the natural basins of the high desert.