1984 Map of Des Moines

About this map

Des Moines and its suburban expansion define the landscape in this mid-1980s snapshot, where the confluence of the Des Moines River and the Raccoon River anchors the capital city's geography. The map reveals the recently matured reservoir system, dominated by Saylorville Lake and Big Creek Lake, which fundamentally altered the drainage patterns of the region's northern reaches. Further north, the academic footprint of Ames is anchored by Iowa State University, while institutional sites like the Woodward State Hospital and the sprawling Camp Dodge Military Reservation reflect the area's role as a center for government and state services.