2011 Map of Elephant Lake

About this map

Elephant Lake and its surrounding wetlands anchor this northern Minnesota landscape in the Superior National Forest region. The area is defined by a dense network of water bodies and tributary systems, including Bug Lake and Silver Lake, which drain through narrow passages such as Bug Creek and Elephant Creek. In the southern half of the quadrangle, the meandering Pelican River creates a complex hydrologic pattern, while the Vermilion River flows through the northeastern corner. Human presence is primarily represented by a series of access routes maintained by the U.S. Forest Service, such as Forest Rte-203 and Forest Road 601, alongside County Hwy-180. This 2011 survey illustrates the contemporary balance of forest management and natural water drainage in a region largely dedicated to timber and recreation.