1991 Map of Blanchard Island

About this map

The Mississippi River creates a complex landscape of braided channels and shifting island landforms along the border of Iowa and Illinois. This 1991 survey details the managed wetlands and conservation areas that dominate the river corridor, including the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge and the Kilpeck Landing Recreation Area. The map reveals a heavily engineered river valley where an extensive network of drainage features like Frieden Ditch and School Ditch manage the low-lying terrain behind the protective Levee. Small aviation sites such as the Carl Ritter Landing Strip and the Russell Farm Landing Strip dot the agrarian landscape of Drury and Eliza. On the Iowa side, the settlement of Fruitland sits near industrial features like the Pumping Sta and several sand and gravel pits, reflecting the economic utility of the river's alluvial deposits.