1992 Map of Steelhead Falls

About this map

The dramatic confluence of the Deschutes River and the Crooked River shapes this high desert landscape, dominated by the deeply incised Crooked River Gorge and the waters of Lake Billy Chinook. Much of the territory falls within the Crooked River National Grassland, where the plateau known as The Peninsula rises sharply above the water. Historical human activity is concentrated in the northern reaches near the settlement of Grandview, which includes the Grandview Cemetery, and further south at Holmes Ranch. The map details the early 1990s infrastructure that manages these river systems, including a powerplant, gaging station, diversion dam, and an aqueduct near Opal Springs. From the sheer walls of Squaw Mouth to the descent at Steelhead Falls, the topography reflects a land defined by volcanic geology and the intensive management of its scarce water resources.