2023 Map of West of Paterson

About this map

The Columbia River defines the southern boundary of this landscape, separating Benton County, Washington, from Morrow County, Oregon. Much of the riverfront and the scattered islands within Lake Umatilla, such as Telegraph Island and the Blalock Islands, are part of the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge. This conservation area preserves the riverine ecosystem in a region characterized by significant agricultural development and topographic relief. North of the river, the land rises sharply toward Canoe Ridge and Paterson Ridge, where the terrain is dissected by Glade Creek and its East Branch. The presence of Sandpiper Farms and Leveling Pond near S Sandpiper Rd illustrates the modern reliance on irrigation and water management to sustain large-scale farming operations in the arid Columbia Basin.