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1956 Map of Crockett Mountains

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Crockett Mountains
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

Lake Oahe dominates the northern reaches of this landscape, its fingers reaching into the rugged breaks where the Cheyenne River once flowed freely before inundation. This mid-century survey reflects the massive hydraulic changes of the Missouri River Basin project, showing the reservoir at its normal pool elevation of 1617 feet. The water cuts deeply into the southern edge of the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation Boundary, creating a stark contrast between the flooded valley and the high, arid plains of Stanley County.

Away from the rising shoreline, the interior is defined by prominent landmarks like the Crockett Mountains and the distinct volcanic or erosional forms of Lindsay Butte and Black Butte. Human activity is sparse but resilient, represented by the Webb Ranch near Orton Flat and the presence of a Flowing Well in the western drainage of Sansarc Creek. The map records a transition from traditional ranching lands to a reservoir-shaped economy.