1977 Map of Bear Lake North

About this map

Bear Lake dominates this 1977 orthophotograph, captured during a period when the northern shoreline was defined by the intersection of natural hydrology and early engineering. The settlement of Lifton sits at a critical junction near the northern tip of the lake, adjacent to the marshy expanse of Mud Lake. This map, produced by the Geological Survey in cooperation with the Soil Conservation Service, provides a detailed visual record of the shoreline before modern development altered the northern reaches. The wide, distinctive arc of the Bear Lake Sands stretches along the eastern shore, illustrating the massive deposit of lake-bed material that has historically characterized this area. To the northwest, the small outlet of Little Creek feeds into the main body of water, marking a subtle transition in the otherwise vast aquatic landscape of the Idaho-Utah border region.