2017 Map of Turner Butte

About this map

Turner Butte and Butcher Butte rise above the high plateau landscape of Sherman County, where the transition between flat rangelands and deep-cut drainage systems defines the local geography. The settlement of Rock Creek is positioned near the creek of the same name, while the southwestern corner is dominated by the winding course of the John Day River, which forms a natural boundary with Gilliam County. This 2017 survey reveals a network of rural roads such as Barnett Rd and Morrison Rd that provide access to remote landmarks like Diamond Butte and the broad expanse of Shutler Flat. The terrain is marked by significant elevation changes, particularly around Scott Canyon and Alkali Canyon, illustrating the erosive forces that have shaped this portion of the Columbia Plateau over millennia. The map serves as a contemporary record of land use in a region where water sources like Cedar Spring remain vital features in an otherwise arid environment.