Loading map...

1971 Map of Sundale NW

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Sundale NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Lake Umatilla dominates this section of the Columbia River basin, reflecting the managed water levels of the early 1970s. This stretch of the river serves as a critical transportation corridor, with the Union Pacific railroad tracking the Oregon shore and the Burlington Northern line running along the Washington side. The map documents small settlements like Blalock and Bates, which are positioned between the water and the rising canyon walls.

Away from the river, the landscape is defined by deep incisions such as Philippi Canyon and Swanson Canyon. The presence of the John Day River in the southwest corner reveals the confluence of major regional drainages. Distinctive landmarks like the Walker Grade and the plateau area known as The Burn illustrate the challenging terrain that early infrastructure had to navigate in this border region between Gilliam, Sherman, and Klickitat counties.