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1969 Map of Jordan Craters South

Name: 1969 Topographic Map of Jordan Craters South
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Jordan Craters dominates this corner of Malheur County, Oregon, where expansive Lava fields define the geologic character of the high desert. The 1968 aerial survey reveals a landscape where human utility is focused on water management for livestock or industry, evidenced by the scattered development of Crater Lake Well, Lava Well, and several isolated reservoirs. Volcanic formations like Clarks Butte, Biscuit Butte, and Saddle Butte rise above the basaltic plains, serving as primary navigation landmarks.

Remote transportation is limited to a network of a Jeep Trail, emphasizing the area's isolation in the late 1960s. Ephemeral water sources including Mud Lake and Batch Lake appear alongside more permanent structures like Dry Lake Reservoir, illustrating the critical role of water retention in this arid volcanic terrain. The map captures a moment of geological study and land management prior to more modern environmental designations.