2011 Map of Basswood Lake West

About this map

Basswood Lake dominates this northern wilderness landscape along the international border, where the complex waterways of the Rainy River District meet the Minnesota boundary. The map illustrates a primitive aqueous network defined by significant drops in elevation, marked by Lower Basswood Falls, Wheelbarrow Falls, and Pipestone Falls. These landmarks underscore the historical portage routes utilized by travelers and indigenous people navigating the interconnected chain of lakes. To the west, the Horse River flows through a series of narrow channels connecting Section Sixteen Lake and Crooked Lake, while southern points like Wegens Point and Caribou Point provide navigational reference for the open waters of the basin. The presence of New York Island and Gary Island within the central lake system highlights the fragmented, glaciated terrain that has long dictated the movement of explorers and canoeists through this protected backcountry corridor.