2016 Map of Balaton

About this map

The Balaton and Garvin settlements anchor this portion of southwestern Minnesota, situated upon the glacial uplands of the Coteau des Prairies. This plateau landscape is defined by a dense network of prairie pothole lakes and wetlands, ranging from the expansive Lake Sarah and Lake Maria to the smaller Iron Lake and Spink Lake. The map reveals the early headwaters of the Des Moines River as it begins its journey across the plains, alongside a grid of rural section roads like Co Hwy 12 and Co Rd 100. The town of Balaton is positioned prominently between Lake Yankton and the northern reaches of the Coteau, reflecting a community closely tied to its water bodies. This 2016 survey documents the enduring agricultural and hydraulic character of the Lyon and Murray county line, where features like County Ditch Number Forty-eight illustrate long-standing land management efforts.