1982 Map of Diermier Ranch

About this map

The high plains of Ziebach County are defined by a complex drainage system shown in this 1982 provisional survey. The landscape is carved by the West Branch Ash Creek and East Branch Ash Creek, which converge as they flow through the open rangeland. This map captures the region when isolated homesteads and ranching operations were the primary markers of human settlement in this part of South Dakota. Named for the Diermier Ranch located centrally along the drainage, the area also features the Johnson Ranch and Fields Ranch to the east. The presence of Girl Creek in the southwest corner further illustrates the intricate network of seasonal and permanent waterways that dictated the placement of these early western holdings. The map’s focus on elevation contours and hydrological features reveals the specific terrain challenges faced by these 20th-century ranchers.