2017 Map of Big Lake

About this map

The expansive Goose Cr drainage and a dense network of Sandhills lakes define this portion of Cherry County. The landscape is characterized by its significant wetland systems, including Vrender Swamp and Pearson Swamp, which sit alongside prominent water bodies like Big Lake and South Marsh Lake. This 2017 survey reflects the enduring cattle-country geography of the Nebraska Sandhills, where drainage patterns and localized valleys like Sweetwater Valley dictate the placement of ranch infrastructure. These basins, such as Tate Lake, Dads Lake, and Pony Lake, provide essential water sources in a region where surface water is the primary organizing force for human activity and natural habitat. The map also identifies specific family-named landmarks like Campbell Lake, Homestead Lake, and Durbin Lake, offering a detailed record of the local hydrology and land use at the start of the twenty-first century.