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1976 Map of Pence Butte

Name: 1976 Topographic Map of Pence Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

Bruneau Desert terrain dominates this corner of Owyhee County, where the high arid plains are defined by volcanic features and intermittent watercourses. The prominent summit of Pence Butte rises above the southern portion of the sheet, providing a natural landmark within the expansive Saylor Creek Air Force Range. This military reservation covers much of the central and southern landscape, reflecting the region's mid-century role in defense training and aerial operations.

Surface drainage is characterized by deep erosional patterns, most notably along Browns Creek and the upper reaches of Saylor Creek. Human presence is sparse, marked primarily by the Indian Cove Road in the northeast, which provides one of the few improved routes through this remote volcanic plateau. The map details the transition between section lines and the unforgiving topography of the desert floor.