2020 Map of Hay Lake

About this map

Hay Lake and the surrounding high desert of Harney County are defined by a sophisticated system of water management used for ranching and wildlife. This landscape is a complex network of seasonal catchments and named springs, including Poteet Spring and Harry Arnold Spring, which provide essential moisture in an otherwise arid environment. The presence of numerous engineered features like Surprise Lake Reservoir, Indian Brave Reservoir, and Spring Canyon Reservoir highlights the human effort to capture runoff from seasonal drainages like Big Stick Cr.