2017 Map of Bristol Lake

About this map

Waupan Valley and Ideal Valley define the undulating terrain of this Cherry County landscape, where the Nebraska Sandhills topography is marked by a series of distinct depressions and isolated water bodies. These ephemeral and permanent lakes, including Bristol Lake, Church Lake, and Indian Lake, are central features of the local hydrology, often serving as critical landmarks in an otherwise open ranching environment. The presence of Preston Lake in the southern portion and the winding path of Survey Valley Rd through Survey Valley illustrate the sparse but deliberate human imprint on the land. This survey provides a clear view of the Public Land Survey System township and range grid, showing how the vast open spaces are organized into sections within the Nebraska backcountry during the early twenty-first century.