1980 Map of Southwest Harney Lake

About this map

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupies the northeastern quadrant of this 1980 survey, where the fluctuating shoreline of Harney Lake meets the arid interior of Harney County. The landscape is defined by its scarce but vital water sources, from the Flowing Well to named points like Upper Sizemore Spring and Lower Sizemore Spring. These features supported the early ranching efforts in the High Desert, as evidenced by the presence of the Moon Ranch and the expansive Basque Flat. The distribution of resources like Soldier Spring and the Weed Lake Butte Waterhole illustrates a complex water management system necessary for survival in Warm Springs Valley. In the southeast, Weed Lake and its surrounding Weed Lake Flat provide a clear view of the basin's topography before modern shifts in land use and drainage.