Loading map...

2011 Map of Scratch Post Butte

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Scratch Post Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Scratch Post Butte and the surrounding high desert of Malheur County are defined by an intricate drainage system that feeds the region's ranching infrastructure. This landscape is shaped by the descent of water from Juniper Mountain and Circle Butte, with Cow Creek and its many tributaries, including Lyman Creek, Blue Creek, and Sheep Creek, cutting through the terrain. The presence of Smith Reservoir and the Wheaton-Creek Reservoir on the western edge of the sheet indicates the importance of water management in this arid environment.

Transportation is limited to isolated routes like Bonita Rd, which provides access to the Wheaton Creek area. In the southeast, the terrain drops into the Log Creek Basin, where Log Creek and Birch Creek collect seasonal runoff. This survey captures a moment in the early 21st century when the land remains primarily characterized by its natural contours and a sparse network of water improvements for livestock and land management.