2023 Map of Nye

About this map

Whittaker Flats and the deep incisions of Rugg Canyon characterize this portion of Umatilla County, where the high plateaus of eastern Oregon are carved by a dense network of seasonal drainages and springs. The landscape is defined by its water sources, from the named flows of Bear Creek and West Birch Creek to vital points like Stewart Spring and Middle Rugg Spring. This rugged topography has dictated a sparse transportation network, primarily consisting of county roads such as Yellow Jacket Rd and the prominent corridor of Highway 395. The nomenclature of the area, including Schoolhouse Canyon and Windmill Canyon, hints at a history of remote homesteading and the essential infrastructure required for ranching and settlement in this semi-arid environment.