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2011 Map of Criterion

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Criterion
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Criterion (Historical) and the Criterion Cemetery mark the western edge of this Wasco County landscape, where the plateaus transition into a complex network of draws and ridges. The terrain is defined by a series of parallel drainage systems, including Robin Creek, Deep Creek, and Cottonwood Creek, which have carved deep paths toward the northeast. The presence of Maupin Trail Canyon highlights a traditional route of travel through this interior region, connecting the high country to the river valleys beyond.

Agricultural and ranching legacies are evident in the naming of features such as Johnson Ridge, McLeod Ridge, and Cottonwood Ridge. Numerous seasonal water sources and springs, including Horncrist Spring, Adams Spring, and Johnson Spring, emphasize the critical importance of water management in this arid environment. To the south, the geography becomes even more dramatic with the convergence of White Door Canyon, Boardtree Canyon, and Chandler Canyon, showing the significant erosion patterns characteristic of the Oregon high desert.