Owyhee-Malheur Basin

“The upper Owyhee and Malheur River drainage is a very lightly populated portion of the state. The lower Malheur Basin supports rich irrigated agriculture and is particularly known for production of onions. Cattle ranching is the dominant use of the upper basin that includes the stark beauty of Leslie Gulch and the Jordan Craters. The wild upper Owyhee River is one of the few undammed areas in Oregon. Bull trout in this basin are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.”

The name, “Owyhee”, comes from early fur trappers and is an early spelling for the word Hawaii.” “In 1819, three natives from Hawaii, part of Donald McKenzie's fur-trapping expedition, were sent to trap a large stream that emptied into the Snake River. When they did not return, McKenzie investigated and found one man murdered in camp and no sign of the others. The stream was named in their honor.”

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