2020 Map of Rufino Butte

About this map

Rufino Butte rises over a high desert landscape in Malheur County, defined by its intricate network of ephemeral water management systems and remote rangeland. The map illustrates a dependence on livestock watering holes, featuring numerous named catchments such as Coyote Wells Reservoir, McConnell Reservoir, and Two Way Reservoir. The drainage patterns are dominated by Dry Cr, which carves the distinct Dry Creek Gorge in the southern sections of the quadrangle. Highlighting the importance of natural water sources in this arid region, several unique springs are identified, including the colorful Slim and Fatty Spring and the clustered Canyon Springs. Human intervention is limited primarily to ranching infrastructure, connected by the unpaved paths of Crowley Rd and the Dry Creek Cutoff.