1980 Map of Weed Lake Butte

About this map

Weed Lake Butte rises above an arid basin where ephemeral lakes and strategic waterholes defined the early cattle-ranching landscape of Harney County. This 1980 survey reveals a complex network of seasonal water management, essential for livestock in the high desert. Ranching infrastructure is grounded by the Shelley Corral and various engineered catchments like Campbell Reservoir and Little Jack Creek Res. The map illustrates the hydrology of the Great Basin, where features like Dry Lake and Marter Lake only hold water during specific seasons, while named waterholes such as the West Weed Lake Butte Waterhole and State Game Waterhole provided vital stops for both wildlife and herders. Prentis Draw and Buzzard Creek channel the occasional runoff through the flats toward Prentis Lake and Haines Lake.