2021 Map of Badnation NW

About this map

The White River carves a deep, winding path through the borderlands of Mellette and Jones Counties, defining a landscape of complex drainage systems and eroded tablelands. Along its northern bends, the Valburg Ranch Airport marks a rare point of modern aviation infrastructure in an otherwise agricultural and ranching corridor. Seasonal watercourses such as Bull Cr and Bitan Cr feed into the river from the north, while the southern reach is dominated by the extensive basin of White Thunder Cr, which meanders through a network of draws and ridges. Transportation is limited to a few section-line routes, including Ironwing Rd and 258th St, illustrating the sparse, large-acreage settlement pattern of south-central South Dakota. The mapping clearly delineates the transition between township systems, showing how the river serves as both a physical barrier and a jurisdictional boundary.