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2024 Map of Blanchard Island

Name: 2024 Topographic Map of Blanchard Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2024
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2024

About this map

The Mississippi River defines the heart of this landscape, carving a complex network of islands and chutes along the border of Iowa and Illinois. Significant wetlands and protected habitats are preserved within the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, which spans a large portion of the river bottomlands. On the Iowa side, the settlement of Fruitland sits amidst a grid of rural roads such as Wiggens Rd and Drake Rd, while the larger center of Muscatine is visible at the northern edge.

Drainage systems like Frieden Ditch, Hampton Ditch, and School Ditch reflect an engineered agricultural environment designed to manage the fertile but low-lying land of Muscatine Island. Local history is anchored by several small burial grounds, including Island Cem, Reynolds Cem, and Glancey Cem. The map also highlights smaller aviation markers like Maas Airstrip and Ritter Field, alongside river features like Barkis Island and Bogus Chute.