1987 Map of Carrico Lakes

About this map

Survey Valley dominates the northern reaches of this mid-1980s Nebraska Sandhills landscape, where the shifting topography creates a complex network of seasonal basins and small water bodies. The terrain is defined by its intermittent hydrology, including Carrico Lakes and numerous scattered wetlands labeled by their water levels, such as WL 3632 and WL 3652. Settlement is sparse and tied to the ranching economy of Cherry County, with family-named operations like the W Marshall Ranch, L Hoyt Ranch, and H Hoyt Ranch serving as the primary landmarks. This provisional survey captures the region as it appeared before many modern developments, showing a landscape of unimproved roads and remote trails through the dunes. It is an essential document for understanding the land-use patterns and family ranching heritage of this specific corner of the Nebraska interior.