1980 Map of Lunch Lake

About this map

Lunch Lake and its surrounding high-desert depressions characterize this Harney County landscape during the late 1970s. The terrain is defined by dramatic erosional features, most notably the long passage of Buzzard Canyon which carries Buzzard Creek southeast toward Buckaroo Flat. These seasonal drainage systems, including Deep Canyon and the wide drainage of Smoky Hollow, speak to the intermittent water cycles of southeastern Oregon. Scattered throughout the quadrangle are smaller catchment basins like Chicken Feed Lake and Buzzard Lake. An intriguing human element is found near the head of Buzzard Canyon, where the map identifies Ruins, possibly indicating a remnant of early ranching or homesteading efforts in this isolated part of the state. The layout of section lines and range boundaries, such as the transition between Range 27 and 28 East, provides a clear grid for locating these specific landmarks.