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2011 Map of The Narrows

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

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Malheur Lake and the expansive wetlands of the high desert dominate this landscape, where the waters of the Blitzen Valley meet the northern reaches of the basin. The settlement of The Narrows and the adjacent community of Narrows mark the critical land bridge between the larger lake and Mud Lake to the southwest. This geographic bottleneck has long served as a vital transit point for those navigating the arid stretches of Harney Valley and Sunset Valley.

Remote outposts and water management systems define the human footprint here, including the Caldwell Ranch near the winding Simmons Slough. Drainage and irrigation are evidenced by features like the Butte Ditch, while the small settlement of Loma sits in the northwest. The presence of Vickers Lake further illustrates the complex hydrology of this part of Harney County, where seasonal water levels dictate the use of the surrounding plains.