Lakes Basin

“Waters that flow in the desert country of Lake, southern Harney, and southwestern Malheur counties drain toward lakes like Malheur, Abert, Silver, and Summer. These waterbodies and associated wetlands are remnants of ancient Pleistocene lakes that filled the basin. Scenic mountains rise abruptly from the valley floors. Streams that drain the uplifted ranges support Lahontan cutthroat trout, redband trout, Tui chub, Alvord chub, and Borax Lake chub. Hart Mountain and Malheur National Wildlife Refuges and the Steens Mountain Wilderness Area provide wildlife viewing and scenic vistas. Fort Rock and the Alvord Desert are home to antelope and sage grouse. Diamond Craters, the historic Round Barn of the P Ranch and the Burns Paiute tribal lands are in this basin. Ranching and forest products principally support communities in this basin.

Abert Rim, in the Lakes Basin, is one of the highest fault scarps in the United States. It rises 760 metres (2500 feet) above the valley floor. It was formed during the Miocene epoch. At that time basaltic flood lavas covered much of Eastern Oregon. In subsequent faulting, great blocks were tilted and Abert Rim is at the eastern end of one of these blocks, while Abert Lake lies on top of another. A river called Crooked Creek enters the lake from the south, however it has no outlet. The lake level varies and it has been known to dry up. The escarpment and lake were first mapped on December 20, 1843 by John C. Frémont who named it after Col John James Abert, his commanding officer. Fremont was one of the first to explore the Lakes Basin. You can follow his journeys passed the Abert Rim and through the Lakes Basin at the End of the Oregon Trail website.”

Content featured on the Oregon Explorer, "Learn about Places: Lakes Basin" site, information compiled by science writing consultant John Ame.