2011 Map of House Butte

About this map

The Malheur River flows across the northern landscape of this Harney County terrain, supporting a network of historic water management that includes the Robbins Ditch and Miller Ditch. This 2011 survey captures a remote ranching environment where the George Clark Ranch and Pine Creek Ranch represent the sparse human footprint amidst the high desert. Local genealogy is anchored by the Muller Cemetery in the northeast, while the central topography is defined by the prominent House Butte. Significant water storage features such as Sitz Reservoir, Van Derveer Reservoir, and Rimrock Reservoir highlight the necessity of irrigation and livestock watering in this arid region. The map also traces the winding courses of Pine Creek, Warm Spring Creek, and Dry Creek, which cut through landforms like Scab Gulch and Greenley Gulch, revealing a complex drainage system that has long dictated the placement of homesteads and grazing lands.