2020 Map of Cow Valley West

About this map

Bonita anchors the southern reaches of this high-desert landscape in Malheur County, where the ranching history of eastern Oregon is written in the names of its springs and drainages. The map reveals an intricate network of seasonal watercourses and irrigation infrastructure, such as the Rutherford Ditch and Hugg Spring, which have long been vital for supporting livestock in this arid environment. Terrain features like Saddle Butte and Worsham Butte rise above the flats, serving as navigational landmarks for generations of travelers. Cultural traces are evident in the path of Military Rd, reflecting the era of early overland transit and frontier movement. From the broad expanse of Rye Flat to the deep contours of Indian Gulch, the map captures a specific spatial organization of land use and resource management common to the Great Basin's edge.