2020 Map of The Narrows

About this map

Malheur Lake dominates this portion of the Harney Basin, where the expansive wetlands and marshes of the High Desert define the human and natural geography. The small settlement of Narrows is located at a critical hydrological bottleneck, known as The Narrows, where water moves between the larger lake system and Mud Lake. This area reflects the essential relationship between water management and ranching in southeastern Oregon, illustrated by the presence of the Rinehart Ditch and Butte Ditch to the south. Transportation in this basin is marked by long, straight ranch roads such as Oo Ranch Rd and Sodhouse Ln, which serve the agricultural community in Sunset Valley. The map details a complex network of seasonal water features, including Vickers Lake and Simmons Slough, showing the landscape as it functioned in the early 21st century.