2017 Map of Alcester NE

About this map

The Big Sioux River carves a meandering boundary between Iowa and South Dakota, defining the landscape of this 2017 survey. The river's winding course creates a sharp contrast between the high, dissected bluffs of the Dakota side and the systematic agricultural grid of Sioux County, Iowa. This rural expanse is anchored by several long-standing community landmarks, including the small settlement of Moe and a network of Lutheran burial grounds. The distribution of Bethany Cem, Lands Lutheran Cem, and the dual North Trinity Cem and Trinity Lutheran Cem South reflects a deep-rooted history of Scandinavian or German immigrant settlement common to this region. Traces of historical hydrology are evident in the drainage patterns of Pattee Cr and E Brule Cr, which cut through the high ground before descending toward the river valley. The map documents a modern landscape where section roads like Co Hwy 140 and Arthur Ave overlay an older, river-dependent topography.