2020 Map of Sheep Ridge

About this map

Sheep Ridge dominates the central landscape of this section of Payette County, where high ground and deeply cut drainage channels define the rural terrain. The area's agricultural history is written in its water management, evidenced by the intricate system of gravity-fed waterways including the Nelson Canal, Bolton Canal, and Patton Canal. These irrigation structures follow the contours of the land above Little Willow Cr, supporting a ranching and farming economy dependent on seasonal runoff. Numerous named gulches like Clair Rose Gulch and Stone Quarry Gulch suggest a history of local resource extraction and family-held land claims. Local travel follows the winding paths of Big Willow Rd and Little Willow Rd, which trace the low-lying creek beds and provide access to the various canyons and springs, such as Sheep Spring, that dot the higher elevations.