2020 Map of Sourdough Spring

About this map

Sourdough Mtn and Grassy Mtn anchor this high-desert landscape in Malheur County, where water management is the primary signature of human activity. The terrain is defined by a sophisticated network of catchment systems, including Table Reservoir, Wildcat Canyon Reservoir, and the Poison Spring Reservoir, which collect seasonal runoff in an arid environment. These features, along with names like Whiskey Spring and Sourdough Spring, suggest a history tied to livestock ranging and the essential search for reliable water sources. The map also traces the drainage patterns of Hoodoo Cr and Twin Springs Cr, which carve through deep geographical depressions such as Basin Gulch and Negro Rock Canyon. Sparse transportation routes like Freezeout Lake Rd and Twin Springs Rd provide the only access through this dissected volcanic plateau, linking remote landmarks like Negro Rock and Freezeout Lake.