2011 Map of Jackson Summit

About this map

Jackson Creek Ranch anchors the northwestern corner of this high-elevation landscape in Malheur County, where the management of water is central to the human footprint. A series of catchment systems, including the Jackson Creek Reservoir, Upper Tenmile Reservoir, and the uniquely named Hole-in-the-Ground Reservoir, illustrate the necessity of seasonal water storage in this arid environment. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevation changes, rising toward Jackson Summit and High Peak. Below these heights, a network of drainages such as Chicken Springs Canyon and Deadhorse Canyon carve through the earth, directing flow toward larger arteries like Tenmile Creek and Cottonwood Creek. The presence of several named springs, such as Jasper Spring and Bankofier Spring, further emphasizes the critical nature of natural water sources for ranching and wildlife in this part of eastern Oregon.