1947 Map of Jackass Butte

About this map

Snake River canyon walls dominate this landscape at the intersection of Owyhee, Elmore, and Ada counties. The winding river corridor is flanked by prominent geological formations like Jackass Butte and Black Butte, while the Emigrant Trail skirts the northern bluffs, marking a historical corridor of westward movement. This post-war survey illustrates a transition from the river's natural course to an engineered agricultural landscape, particularly evident in the Chattin Flats area. Here, an intricate network of irrigation infrastructure including the High Line Canal, Middle Line Canal, and Low Line Canal works in tandem with the Grand View Mutual Irrigation District Canal to bring water to the arid terrain. Scattered signs of local habitation and community appear through landmarks such as Brooks Ranch and the Birch Creek Sch near the mouth of Birch Creek.