2017 Map of Beck Lake

About this map

The alkaline-rich hydrology of the Nebraska Sandhills is the primary focus of this Garden County study. Numerous shallow depressions and wetlands are recorded here, including Beck Lake, Hills Lake, and Merrill Lake, which characterize the undulating landscape. These water bodies, often varying with seasonal precipitation, are scattered among the section lines of the Public Land Survey System. Human infrastructure is limited to rural routes such as RD 155 and Alliance Refuge Rd, highlighting the region's ranching character and sparse settlement. Named features like School Section Lake and Homestead Lake reflect the historical land-use patterns and early settlement ties common to this part of the Great Plains. The topography is defined by stabilization of sand dunes, creating a unique drainage pattern where water collects in the swales between rises.