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1983 Map of Deer Flat

Name: 1983 Topographic Map of Deer Flat
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Deer Flat and the dramatic Owyhee Canyon dominate this high-desert plateau in Malheur County, where water sources dictated the movement of both people and livestock. The map records a sparse but functional landscape of ranching infrastructure, including Andersons Corral and a specific landmark noted as the Tin House. Numerous family-named or descriptive water sources like Pedroli Spring, Massey Spring, and Lime Spring are crucial waypoints across the arid terrain.

The western edge of the quadrangle is defined by the boundary of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, while the Owyhee River and its tributaries, such as Little West Louse Creek, carve deep into the canyon floor. Engineering efforts to manage this environment are visible through several earthwork structures, including the Res Int Earth Fill Dam. The intricate network of fences and corrals throughout the area illustrates the extensive grazing patterns that have long characterized this corner of Southeast Oregon.