1986 Map of Bean Lake

About this map

Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge dominates the eastern landscape of this Garden County region, protecting a complex system of Nebraska Sandhills wetlands. The area is defined by its numerous shallow lakes and sloughs, such as Romelli Slough, which weave through the dune formations. Remote ranching operations like the Eldred Ranch represent the primary human imprint on this otherwise wild terrain. The map illustrates a delicate hydrological network where water bodies like Alkali Lake, Wilson Lake, and Bean Lake provide critical habitat and reference points in a sea of shifting grass and sand. Many of the lakes carry family names or descriptive titles, such as Old Ladys Lake and Trainor Lake, suggesting a long history of local habitation and land use centered around these permanent water sources.