2011 Map of Dry Creek Bench

About this map

Dry Creek Bench dominates this high-desert landscape in Malheur County, where the management of scarce water resources is written into the names of the land. In this arid corner of eastern Oregon, a network of man-made catchments like Twelvemile Reservoir, Frenchys Reservoir, and Miracle Reservoir supports the region's ranching interests. The terrain is defined by a series of intermittent drainages, most notably Antelope Creek and the southern reaches of Fish Creek, which lead toward the distinct elevation of the bench. The presence of numerous named water sources, including Cherry Spring, Bench Spring, and Tin Trough Spring, highlights the critical points of survival and navigation for those moving through this remote territory. This mapping shows the distribution of reservoirs and springs as they existed early in the twenty-first century, providing a detailed look at the hydraulic infrastructure essential to this sagebrush-covered terrain.