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2014 Map of Drinkwater Pass

Name: 2014 Topographic Map of Drinkwater Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2014
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2014

About this map

Drinkwater Pass serves as a critical topographic notch in the high desert landscape of eastern Oregon, facilitating passage for Us-20 through the sagebrush-dominated terrain. The map reveals an intricate network of water management, essential for sustaining life and agriculture in this arid region. Features like the Drewsey Reclamation Company Ditch, Stallard Ditch, and Altnow Ditch underscore a long-standing reliance on irrigation, diverting water from the Malheur River and its tributaries to support the local economy.

Settlement patterns are concentrated within the broader basins of Otis Valley and Drewsey Valley, where ranching operations depend on scattered water sources such as Weatherby Spring and the Altnow Reservoir. The northern reaches of the quadrangle transition into the Beede Desert, a more desolate expanse characterized by drainage features like Mill Gulch and Kingsbury Gulch. The road network, including the Crane-Prairie-Drewsey Rd and Juntura Cutoff Rd, illustrates the connectivity required between these isolated ranching valleys and larger regional centers.