2017 Map of Hat Butte

About this map

Hat Butte stands as a prominent topographical landmark in this high-desert region of Central Oregon, marking the intersection of Deschutes, Harney, and Lake counties. The landscape is defined by its arid hydrology, characterized by a series of small, scattered catchments and basins such as Boundary Lake, Sitz Lake, and Hat Lake. Man-made water management is evident through the presence of several isolated basins, including Mercury Reservoir, Black Rock Reservoir, and N Glass Butte Reservoir. Human infrastructure in this corner of the state is sparse, limited primarily to Bush Well Rd and the broad, level expanse of Wise Flat. This 2017 survey illustrates the persistence of traditional land management and water storage practices in a remote volcanic landscape, where landmarks like Midnight Point serve as critical navigational markers across the county boundaries.