1974 Map of Balsam Lake NE

About this map

Glacial geology and agricultural development are captured through high-altitude aerial imagery in this orthophotograph of the northern Wisconsin interior. Taken on October 12, 1974, the imagery reveals a dense mosaic of cultivated fields, wooded woodlots, and deep glacial kettle lakes. This specific format, produced by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, emphasizes the physical grain of the land over traditional cartographic symbols. The rectangular grid of the Public Land Survey System is clearly visible across the landscape, with a notable survey boundary labeled Range indicating the structured settlement patterns of Polk County. This specialized view is essential for understanding the distribution of wetlands and forest cover before late-century changes.