2017 Map of Black Horse Butte NW

About this map

The Grand River National Grassland dominates the southern reaches of this landscape, reflecting a conservation legacy in the high plains of Corson County. The terrain is defined by the winding course of the Grand River, which draws in a network of drainage systems including Thunder Hawk Cr, Cyclone Cr, and Cottonwood Cr. These waterways create a complex topography of draws and ridges typical of the Missouri Plateau. Human imprint is sparse, concentrated primarily along a grid of section lines and rural routes such as Thunder Hawk Rd and 209th Ave. This layout illustrates the intersection of federal land management and local ranching infrastructure in the Rock Creek District during the early twenty-first century, where the expansive natural grassland preserves the open character of the South Dakota prairie.