2023 Map of Cottonwood Reservoir

About this map

Malheur National Forest dominates the northern landscape of this Harney County terrain, giving way to the southern expanses of Otis Valley and the Beede Desert. The map reveals an intricate network of water management and natural drainage, centered on the Se-ng-abi Huudi Reservoir and the Altnow Ditch. These features imply a history of high-desert ranching and water rights management, where seasonal flows from Se-ng-abi Huudi Creek and Cottonwood Creek were critical for sustaining livestock and marginal agriculture. Local landmarks like Jackson Spring, Antelope Spring, and Dipping Vat Spring highlight the essential nature of reliable water sources for early settlers and forest rangers. The rugged transition from the timbered uplands into Rocky Basin is navigated by the Crane-Prairie Drewsey Rd, a key corridor for movement through this sparsely populated interior.