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2009 Map of Elkader SW

Name: 2009 Topographic Map of Elkader SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2009
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2009

About this map

The Smoky Hill River meanders across this Logan County landscape, carving a wide valley through the high plains. The terrain is defined by a network of drainage systems, including Twin Butte Creek, Ladder Creek, and Chalk Creek, which converge as they flow toward the main river channel. This area of western Kansas is characterized by geological landmarks such as the Little Pyramids and the depressions of Burris Draw, illustrating the erosional forces that have shaped the region's chalky substrate.

A sparse grid of section-line roads provides the only infrastructure in this ranching country, with local routes like Mustang and Gold cutting across the open range. The map documents a specifically rural moment where traditional land divisions and natural watercourses remain the primary features, reflecting the enduring cattle-country character of the High Plains before modern industrial developments.