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1971 Map of Red Bank Lakes

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Red Bank Lakes
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Dry Valley Rim dominates this high-desert landscape in Harney County, Oregon, revealing a region defined by its water management and sparse backcountry outposts. The topographic detail of the early 1970s shows a terrain where seasonal water sources were vital, marked by features such as Sunrise Waterhole, Hidden Reservoir, and Brushy Lake. The human imprint is minimal but significant for local history, centered around Egan Cabin and the open range of Old Jims Open.

Extensive networks of jeep trails and unimproved roads wind through complex drainage systems like Lynch Gulch and Kirk Canyon, illustrating the isolation of this corner of the state. Unique geological depressions such as Hole in the Ground Lake and the eponymous Red Bank Lakes provide distinct landmarks for those studying the natural history of the High Desert. The map captures this remote area before modern shifts in land use, preserving the names of remote canyons like Rawhide Canyon and draws like Bacon Camp Draw.