2011 Map of Ryegrass Butte

About this map

Ryegrass Butte rises above an arid landscape of Malheur County, where water management is the primary human imprint on the land. In this 2011 survey, a complex network of small catchments and drainages like North Heath Creek and Sheepshead Canyon Creek feed into a series of functional water bodies. These include Lake Edge Reservoir, Gabriel Reservoir, and the curiously named Euglena Reservoir. The terrain is defined by the Sheepshead Mountains and local landmarks such as Small Butte, emphasizing the isolation of this high desert region. Cattle ranching and land use are evidenced by the placement of the Upper Hole Reservoir and Inbetween Reservoir, while the presence of Heath Creek Spring marks a rare natural water source in this dry volcanic environment.