2014 Map of Ell Lake

About this map

Big Alkali Lake and a series of smaller water bodies define this portion of the Nebraska Sandhills, where the high water table creates a distinct wetland environment amidst the dunes. The map shows a landscape managed for both water transport and transit, with the Ainsworth Canal cutting across the central terrain to direct the region's limited water resources. Named topographic features like Lovejoy Flats and Bens Flat indicate the relatively level basins found between the rolling sand hills, which often host lakes such as Ell Lake, Smith Lake, and Bakers Lake. Human infrastructure is concentrated along the north-south corridor of Us-83 and the spur road Ne-168-Spur, which provide the primary access to these remote ranching and conservation lands. The drainage pattern of Schlagel Cr and Evergreen Cr further illustrates the complex hydrology of this unique prairie ecosystem.