1948 Map of Jackass Butte

About this map

The Snake River carves a deep, winding path through this Owyhee County landscape, separating the high desert plateaus from the fertile plains of Chattin Flats. This late-1940s survey illustrates a region defined by water management and transit, where the historic Emigrant Trail crosses the high ground while complex irrigation systems like the Grand View Mutual Irrigation District Canal and the High Line Canal attempt to reclaim the arid soil. Near the riverbanks, the Brooks Ranch and the Birch Creek Sch indicate small pockets of established settlement amidst the dramatic topography of Jackass Butte and Black Butte. The map also captures several natural water sources and drainages essential to the local environment, including Rabbit Springs and McKeith Wash, providing a detailed look at the infrastructure required for mid-century agriculture in the Idaho desert.