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1971 Map of Dismal Swamp

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Dismal Swamp
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Dismal Swamp and a series of expansive wetlands define this corner of Big Stone County in the early 1970s. The landscape is a complex patchwork of conservation and agricultural utility, dominated by the National Waterfowl Production Area and several state-managed wildlife zones including the Thomson State Wildlife Management Area and Otrey State Wildlife Management Area. These protected areas surround distinctive water bodies like Bentsen Lake and the drainage networks of Kurtz Slough and Hanson Slough.

Rural infrastructure is sparsely represented, reflecting the region's focus on conservation and land management. Cultural landmarks like Bethany Ch and a local Townhall serve the surrounding townships of Malta, Almond, Moonshine, and Otrey. Of particular interest to those studying land use is the Lone Tree Lakebed, illustrating the natural shifts in local hydrology and the transition of formerly submerged areas into the prairie landscape.