2017 Map of Inside Lakes

About this map

Inside Desert and the Diamond A Desert dominate this remote expanse of Owyhee County, where high plateaus are dramatically carved by deep river systems. The confluence and winding paths of the Bruneau River and Jarbidge River define the local topography, creating the steep-walled Bruneau Canyon that snakes through the southwestern portion of the map. The eponymous Inside Lakes appear as ephemeral features within the arid landscape, highlighting the unique hydrology of this high-altitude basin. This 2017 survey illustrates the stark transition between the flat desert flats and the intricate drainage networks that feed into the larger river systems of the Snake River Plain, providing a clear picture of the land's natural state in the modern era.