2017 Map of Rays Lake

About this map

Camas Creek and its complex network of man-made irrigation channels define the hydrology of this Jefferson County landscape. This 2017 survey details a transition from the elevated terrain of Table Butte and The Breaks in the northwest to a vast, saturated basin of wetlands and ponds to the southeast. Water management is central to the area's layout, with the Independent Ditch, Jackett Canal, and Holly Canal redirecting flow across the lowlands. These engineering features support the ecological richness of the region, anchored by Rays Lake and the nearby Mud Lake. Cultural landmarks like the Birding Trail and various refuge roads, including Camas Refuge Rd, suggest the importance of wildlife conservation and public access to these marshes. Prominent rises such as Bunker Hill and Clay Butte provide localized relief against the otherwise horizontal spread of the water-governed plains.