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1979 Map of Bismarck

Name: 1979 Topographic Map of Bismarck
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

The Missouri River and its expansive floodplain dominate this Central North Dakota landscape, anchoring the twin cities of Bismarck and Mandan. By the late 1970s, the river valley shows the transition from historic military outposts like Fort Lincoln State Park and Fort Rice to a region defined by modern infrastructure and water management. The southern portion of the map is largely occupied by Lake Oahe and the State Game Management Area, reflecting the environmental shifts following the construction of downstream dams.

Away from the river, the rolling prairie is marked by the Burlington Northern and Soo Line railroads, which connect small rural depots like Menoken (Burleigh Sta) and Sterling. Extensive conservation areas, including the Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge and numerous National Waterfowl Production Areas, highlight the importance of the Central Flyway. Landforms such as The Hogback and Custer Flats provide distinct geological context to the surrounding ranching and agricultural lands.