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1986 Map of Detroit Lakes

Name: 1986 Topographic Map of Detroit Lakes
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The White Earth Indian Reservation and Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge dominate the northern landscape of this mid-1980s survey, illustrating a region defined by extensive public lands and an intricate glacial hydrology. The terrain is marked by the Height of Land ridge, a significant geographical divide that separates the western-flowing Buffalo River from the dense lake clusters to the east. Large protected areas such as Smoky Hills State Forest and Maplewood State Park preserve the character of the woods and wetlands.

Industrial and transport patterns are anchored by the Burlington Northern railroad line, which connects the regional hub of Detroit Lakes with smaller settlements like Frazee, Perham, and New York Mills. This corridor follows the natural passages between major water bodies, including Height of Land Lake and Shell Lake. To the east, the map traces the upper reaches of the Straight River and the lake-country around Park Rapids, providing a detailed view of the transition from prairie-border plains into the dense northern forests.