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2011 Map of Big Lake

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Big Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Goose Creek winds through this section of the Nebraska Sandhills, a landscape defined by an intricate network of shallow lakes and isolated ranching outposts. This 2011 survey captures the enduring character of Cherry County's cattle country, where family-named operations like Vian Ranch and the J Lee Ranch manage vast stretches of grazing land. The geography is dominated by a series of basins including Big Lake, Lost Lake, and Pony Lake, many of which sit at the base of subtle rises or within the Sweetwater Valley.

The distribution of water bodies such as Dads Lake, Homestead Lake, and Durbin Lake illustrates the high water table of the Ogallala Aquifer, which sustains the region's ranching economy. Transportation is limited to a few arterial roads and primitive tracks, reflecting the sparse settlement patterns necessary for large-scale ranching. For researchers and local historians, these topographic details provide a precise record of water levels and property landmarks in a region where few permanent structures exist.