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2011 Map of Quartz Mountain Basin

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Quartz Mountain Basin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Quartz Mountain Basin and the surrounding high desert of Malheur County appear here in a landscape defined by isolated water sources and rugged relief. The terrain is marked by distinctive volcanic and geological formations, including Quartz Mountain, Black Butte, and the Dry Creek Buttes to the north. These features provide a sharp contrast to the Sand Hills located central to the quadrangle.

Evidence of the region's ranching heritage is centered at the Morcom Cow Camp, while a network of vital water points like Mattingly Spring, Ferguson Spring, and Oriana Spring supported livestock and travelers. The presence of Homestead Reservoir and the primitive Dry Creek Rd highlights the practical infrastructure required to manage this arid interior, where seasonal springs and scattered camps represent the primary human imprint on the land.