2011 Map of Drummond Basin

About this map

The Owyhee River carves a deep path through this section of Malheur County, joined by several major tributaries including the Middle Fork Owyhee River and the West Little Owyhee River. This landscape is defined by its dramatic geologic depressions and rimrock, notably the Drummond Basin and the sheer walls of Twin Springs Gorge and Big Antelope Canyon. Water management is central to the area's utility, as evidenced by a network of catchments such as the South Drummond Basin Reservoir, Five Bar Reservoir, and the isolated Dry Lake Reservoir near the southern margin. Primitive routes like S-Bar Rd and Pole Creek Rd provide the only access across the high desert terrain, connecting landmarks like The Butte and Brown Ridge to the river crossings.