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2020 Map of Tombstone Canyon

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Tombstone Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

The Donner und Blitzen River winds through this high-elevation landscape in Harney County, carving deep channels through the terrain of the Steens Mountain area. This 2020 survey captures a wilderness defined by its critical water sources, from the main river and its tributary, the Little Blitzen River, to isolated watering points like Big Spring, Burnt Car Spring, and Tombstone Spring. These springs and the presence of the Tombstone Reservoir and Fred Kiddles Reservoir highlight the precarious and vital nature of water management in this arid cattle-country environment.

Transportation is limited to primitive routes like Steens Mountain Rd and Burnt Car Rd, which provide access to the interior canyons and meadows. Landforms such as Tombstone Canyon, Cold Spring Canyon, and the high-altitude Desert Meadow reveal a landscape shaped by both geological forces and a legacy of ranching. For those studying the geography of Southeastern Oregon, the map offers a precise view of these named landmarks and the rugged drainage patterns of the Blitzen watershed.