1982 Map of Oregon Butte

About this map

Oregon Butte stands as a prominent landmark in this high-desert portion of Malheur County, where the landscape is defined by deep drainages and scarce water sources. This 1982 field-checked survey reveals a network of isolated water improvements essential for land management, including Star Valley Reservoir, Jeff Reservoir, and Twin Buttes Reservoir. The presence of several named springs, such as Moonshine Spring, Cairn Spring, and Delma Spring, suggests the critical importance of these specific points for local livestock and wildlife in an otherwise arid environment. The map also documents a remote Landing Strip near Tent Creek, illustrating the reliance on light aircraft for accessing this corner of eastern Oregon. Deep incisions from the Louse River and Mossy Canyon cut through the volcanic plateaus, while long stretches of Fence lines trace the division of the open range.