1983 Map of Avance SE

About this map

The settlement of Zeal anchors this section of the western South Dakota plains, where the local drainage patterns define the ranching landscape of the early 1980s. The map illustrates a complex hydraulic network centered on Turtle Creek, which is fed by the West Branch, North Branch, and East Branch. These waterways carve through the terrain, providing essential water sources in an otherwise arid environment. To the south, the terrain shifts toward the Middle and main Cherry Creek systems. This survey, compiled from 1975 aerial photography, documents the sparse but vital infrastructure of the high plains, showing the transition from the Brushy Creek drainage toward the county line. The placement of Zeal relative to these seasonal watercourses highlights the importance of reliable water for homesteading and grazing in this part of the state.