2023 Map of Keg Springs Valley East

About this map

Keg Springs Valley defines this arid stretch of Harney County, characterized by a sophisticated network of water management features essential for high-desert survival. The landscape is punctuated by numerous catchment systems, including the interconnected Upper Herlihy, Middle Herlihy, and Lower Herlihy reservoirs, alongside Upper Hawkins Reservoir. These sites, along with Twin Road Waterhole and Barneys Butte Waterhole, trace a history of ranching and resource management in a region defined by ephemeral water sources like Jackass Creek and Juniper Creek. Access to this remote territory is maintained via historic corridors such as the Foster Lake CCC Rd, a legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Jack Mountain Rd. From the elevation of Barneys Butte to the basin of Downs Lake, the map provides a clear picture of how water dictates the geography of eastern Oregon.