1984 Map of Dry Valley Rim

About this map

Dry Valley defines the landscape of this high desert region in southeast Oregon, as documented in this 1984 provisional survey. The terrain is marked by the prominent north-south escarpment of the Dry Valley Rim, a feature that dictates the movement of water and settlement in this arid environment. Human activity is sparse and centered on livestock and ranching, evidenced by the presence of Boyce Ranch and Mack Cabin. Water management is the critical lifeline for the area, shown through a series of isolated improvements including Dry Well, Fox Well, and the Dry Valley Rim Reservoir. The map illustrates how local geography and water scarcity influenced the placement of infrastructure like Dry Valley Rd, which follows the natural level floor of the valley west of the rim while drainages like Indian Creek and Rawhide Canyon cut through the higher ground to the east.