2017 Map of Quartz Mountain Basin

About this map

Quartz Mountain Basin defines this high-desert landscape in Malheur County, where water is the primary driver of name and place. A series of scattered springs, including Mattingly Spring, Diamond Spring, and Cow Camp Spring, suggest the historical importance of this area for livestock and seasonal camps. These small water sources are critical waypoints amidst the high-elevation terrain of Quartz Mtn and Black Butte. The map reveals a land divided by drainage and relief, from the depths of Red Butte Canyon to the sharp descents of Deadman Gulch and Acton Gulch. The northern portion of the quadrangle is anchored by Homestead Reservoir, a vital piece of water infrastructure. This survey provides a precise look at the township and range divisions of the Public Land Survey System, showing the intersection of T24S R43E and T25S R43E across a sparsely populated region of eastern Oregon.