2011 Map of Silvies

About this map

Silvies River meanders through the heart of this high-elevation ranching landscape in Grant County, Oregon. The valley floor is defined by a sophisticated irrigation network including Owens Ditch and West Side Ditch, which support the historic operations at Silvies Valley Ranch and Hankins Ranch. These family-named landmarks, alongside Charlie Smith Butte and Parasol Butte, offer a look at the early 21st-century spatial organization of the region's cattle and timber economy. Cultural markers of earlier generations remain visible through the Silvies Cemetery and Hankins Cemetery, while the presence of the Maitland Landing Strip and Silvies Landing highlights the reliance on specialized transportation in this isolated terrain. The map also documents water management through Lake Pons Dam and Bennett Dam, illustrating the careful control of local resources.