1983 Map of Imperial Valley South

About this map

Cody Well and Burns Well represent the vital water infrastructure necessary for survival in this arid stretch of Central Oregon. The landscape is defined by vast volcanic and sedimentary features, where name-bearing landmarks like Brondo Butte and Coyote Rock rise above the surrounding flats. A network of unimproved 4WD tracks and a Single Wood Pole Power Line provide the only modern intrusions into a basin characterized by ephemeral water bodies, including Ram Dry Lake, Grassy Lake, and Skull Lake. For researchers of the High Desert, the map reveals the placement of isolated pastoral improvements such as Peters Well and Rim Waterhole, tracing a pattern of land use where accessibility is governed by the shifting availability of water and the orientation of dramatic rimrocks.