2015 Map of Badnation NW

About this map

The White River carves a deep, winding path through this portion of South Dakota, defining the boundary between Jones and Mellette Counties. The landscape is dominated by complex drainage systems, where White Thunder Cr, Bull Cr, and Pitten Cr feed into the main river channel from the surrounding tablelands. Human activity in the region is marked by small-scale aviation at the Valburg Ranch Airport and a grid of rural roads named for local families and heritage, such as Brave Boy Rd, War Bonnet Rd, and Ironwing Rd. This 2015 survey illustrates a contemporary view of the northern Great Plains, where modern section lines and county boundaries are superimposed over a landscape still largely shaped by its natural hydrology and historical ranching roots.