2017 Map of The Elbow

About this map

Lake Owyhee defines the western landscape of this remote corner of Malheur County, its waters filling the narrow winding canyons of the Owyhee River system. The terrain is characterized by sharp relief and isolated landmarks such as Nannys Nipple, Iron Mtn, and the distinctive river bends known as The Elbow and Big Elbow. These geological features, alongside the massive Owyhee Ridge, dictate the movement of water through drainages like Cherry Cr and Wild Horse Cr. Evidence of the area's arid nature and specialized water sources appear in the naming of Oxyoke Spring and Rookie Canyon Spring, while the presence of Fisherman Rd on the eastern edge points to the recreational draw of these high desert canyons. This 2017 survey serves as a modern record of a landscape largely untouched by dense settlement, where topography and hydrology remain the dominant forces.