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2020 Map of Priest Rapids

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Priest Rapids
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Mattawa and the riverside development of Desert Aire occupy a critical bend in the Columbia River, where the landscape shifts from the steep ravines of the west bank to the broad agricultural expanses of the Wahluke Slope to the east. This modern survey illustrates a highly structured grid of residential and recreational planning, particularly around the Desert Aire Regional Airport and its accompanying golf course layout. The river itself forms the primary geographical divider, broadening into Priest Rapids Lake as it approaches the southern ridge.

The topographical contrast is sharp, with the high walls of Umtanum Ridge and deeply incised features like Sourdough Canyon, Alkali Canyon, and Corral Canyon dominating the western Kittitas and Yakima county lines. In the center of the river, Goose Island remains a prominent landmark amidst the controlled flow of the water. The detailed road network, including names like Orchard Dr and Lakeside Way, reflects the mid-to-late 20th-century growth of this desert landscape into a residential and utility hub centered near the Columbia.