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2023 Map of Macken Canyon

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

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The border between Wasco and Sherman counties defines this high-plateau landscape, characterized by a complex network of canyons and gulches draining toward the Deschutes River basin. US Highway 97 serves as the primary north-south artery, winding through the heart of the region near Macken Canyon. The terrain is marked by family and place-named landmarks that hint at the ranching history of north-central Oregon, such as the Shaniko Ranch Airport in the southwest corner and Taylor Point to the east.

Water sources are vital in this arid environment, evidenced by the presence of Kelsey Spring, Taylor Springs, and the seasonal flow of Buck Hollow Creek. The map documents a rugged topography of steep-walled drainages with evocative local names like Wampus Cat Canyon, Big Pine Hollow, and Burgess Canyon. These features illustrate the erosion patterns of the Columbia Plateau, where ancient lava flows have been deeply incised by water over millennia, creating a landscape that remains sparsely populated and dedicated primarily to large-scale ranching operations.