2023 Map of Walters Butte

About this map

The Snake River carves a deep path through this section of the Idaho high desert, marking the boundary between Canyon, Owyhee, and Ada counties. A complex network of irrigation infrastructure, including the Waldvogel Canal and numerous laterals like Selby Lateral and Call Lateral, sustains the agricultural landscape surrounding Melba. The river corridor itself is heavily protected within the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, where a series of small landmasses such as Walters Island, Noble Island, and Guffey Island provide critical riparian habitat. On the higher plateaus, volcanic features like Walters Butte and White Butte rise above the sagebrush flats, while the southern reaches of the map transition into the expansive Con Shea Basin. Local history is anchored by the community of Melba, its associated Melba Cem, and the historic crossing point at Walters Ferry.