2020 Map of Scott Reservoir

About this map

The Owyhee Canyon dominates this portion of Malheur County, where the Owyhee River carves through the high desert plateau. Water management is the defining human footprint on the landscape, seen in the infrastructure of the Happy Valley Ditch and S Side Canal that serve the agricultural pocket of Happy Valley. This 2020 survey illustrates how the region's ranching and irrigation economy relies on scattered water catchments like Scott Reservoir, Dry Cr Reservoir, and Owyhee Spring Reservoir. Topographic features such as Round Mtn, China Gulch, and Sand Hollow provide natural landmarks for navigating the vast terrain. Remote transit is facilitated by primitive routes including Skull Creek Rd and Grassy Mountain Loop, which connect the river corridor to the higher ridges and mesas.