2011 Map of Cow Butte

About this map

The North Fork Grand River meanders across this rural borderland between North and South Dakota, defining a landscape shaped by persistent water management in a semi-arid environment. At the center of this 2011 survey, the Cow Butte landmark overlooks a network of drainage systems and small-scale reservoirs, including Schaur Dam and the curiously named Tadpole Dam. These features, along with Kermit- Johnson- Number 1 Dam, illustrate the critical role of private and small-scale hydraulic engineering for ranching or local agriculture in Harding County. The terrain is further etched by the winding paths of Lightning Creek and Horse Creek, while a rigid grid of rural routes such as White Hill Rd and Twin Twp Rd provides the only structure to this open, sparsely settled territory.