2021 Map of Dog Ear Buttes

About this map

Dog Ear Buttes dominates the lower-central portion of this landscape in southern South Dakota, providing a significant landmark for the surrounding plains. The drainage pattern is defined by several seasonal waterways, most notably Dog Ear Cr, which meanders across the center of the sheet, and Hollow Cr in the northwest. These creeks emphasize the natural topography of the region, where the elevation changes are subtle except near the distinct buttes. The area is surveyed into a regular grid system, with rural roads such as 310th Ave and 280th St following section lines. This layout is typical of the Great Plains' agricultural and ranching development, where transport routes were designed for efficiency across the open terrain. The lack of concentrated settlements highlights the rural, sparsely populated character of Tripp County during this period.