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2023 Map of Jordan Craters South

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Jordan Craters South
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Jordan Craters dominates this high desert landscape in Malheur County, revealing a complex volcanic geography defined by basaltic formations and arid water catchments. The presence of Crater Lake and Mud Lake at the northern edge, alongside the winding Crater Lake Rd, highlights the relationship between the area's rare surface water and its minimal infrastructure. Unlike the verdant valleys of the west, this region relies on an intentional network of catchments including Mud Lake Reservoir Number Two, Saddle Butte Reservoir 2, and Dry Lake Reservoir to manage seasonal runoff.

Several distinct volcanic landmarks anchor the terrain, including Biscuit Butte, Clarks Butte, and Lava Butte. These features, along with the prominent Saddle Butte, serve as navigational waypoints in a remote territory reached primarily by local routes like Biscuit Butte Rd and W Cow Creek Rd. The map illustrates a land managed for its geological and hydrologic significance, where name-bearing buttes rise above ancient lava flows.