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2011 Map of Selle Gap

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

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Warm Springs Reservoir and the Malheur River dominate the southwestern corner of this landscape, representing a vital water management network in the high desert of Malheur County. The terrain is defined by basaltic features and strategic water sources, where the land rises toward Black Butte and the narrow passage of Little Selle Gap. These geographical bottlenecks and basins, including Selle Gap and the northern Poison Basin, have long shaped movement through this arid corridor.

Water distribution is marked by numerous springs and small-scale catchments such as Williams Charco, Shovel Spring, and the Lake Bed Waterhole. These features, alongside family-named landmarks like Meeker Mountain Reservoir and Wheeler Flat, indicate a historical reliance on seasonal hydrology for range management and livestock. The intricate network of drainage, from Butte Creek to Juniper Basin Creek, highlights the topographical complexity that defines this portion of the Oregon desert.