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2011 Map of South Mountain

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

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

The Malheur River cuts a winding path through this corner of Malheur County, anchoring a high-desert landscape defined by ranching operations and carefully managed water resources. At the start of the 21st century, the terrain is dotted with several family-named agricultural sites including P Coyne Ranch, Hinkle Ranch, and Perry Ranch. These settlements are supported by a complex network of man-made catchments like South Mountain Reservoir, Alfred Reservoir, and Hog Creek Reservoir Number Two.

Rising above the river valley, the prominent height of South Mountain overlooks a series of drainages such as Miller Creek and China Creek. Local history is preserved in the naming of remote water sources like Coyne Spring and Boney Spring Number 1, illustrating the vital importance of every spring and gulch in this arid stretch of eastern Oregon. Notable landmarks include the Tunnel Spur and the geographic depression of Simmons Gulch near the river's bend.