2014 Map of Three Forks

About this map

Three Forks sits at the dramatic confluence where the North Fork Owyhee River, Middle Fork Owyhee River, and the main stem of the Owyhee River meet in a deep, winding canyon system. This 2014 survey reveals a landscape shaped by water management and natural geothermal features, notably Tudor Warm Springs located near the river's edge. The high desert plateaus of Squaw Flat and Brown Ridge overlook a complex network of rimrocks and gulches, including Whiskey Gulch and the steep Military Grade. Water security is a dominant theme of the modern era, evidenced by numerous small-scale impoundments like Long Canyon Reservoir Number One, Division Fence Reservoir, and Squaw Flat Reservoir Number Two. These features, along with the Three Forks Rim Reservoir, indicate the critical role of ranching and livestock infrastructure in this arid corner of Malheur County.