2013 Map of Piute Basin East

About this map

Owyhee Canyon and the Owyhee River anchor this remote high-desert landscape in southwestern Idaho. The terrain is defined by a series of basins and plateaus, notably Kimbal Basin and the vast Y P Desert, which are dotted with dozens of small impoundments such as Wiley Reservoir, Petition Reservoir, and Clay Bottom Reservoir. These water sources are critical markers of human activity in an arid environment, supporting livestock at outposts like Wiley Ranch and the Piute Basin Camp. Distinctive landmarks such as Piute Butte and the marshy area known as The Tules provide navigational orientation across the wide expanses. The drainage network, including Piute Cr and Battle Creek, carves through the volcanic geology of the region, illustrating the long-term patterns of land use and water management in this high-elevation desert.