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2011 Map of Wells Dam

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Wells Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Wells Dam anchors the western edge of this landscape, where the Columbia River cuts deep below the high plateau. The topography here is defined by dramatic elevation changes, rising from the riverbanks at Bonita Flats toward the expansive upper benches of Sourdough Flats and Boulder Park. This 2011 survey reveals a rural infrastructure of named farm roads and small settlements like Dyer and Howard, which are connected by a grid of routes such as D Rd NW and Old Dyer.

Water management and natural springs are central to the area's geography, evidenced by features like Alexander Lake, Dezellem Lake, and Potter Big Spring. The land is heavily shaped by erosional features, including the distinctively named The Horseshoe and Skeleton Canyon. These landmarks, along with high points like Dyer Hill and Windsor Hill, provide a detailed record of the rugged transition from the river valley to the Douglas County wheat lands.