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1985 Map of Ell Lake

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Ell Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Schlagel Creek winds through the northwestern corner of this Sandhills landscape, anchored by the Schlagel Creek State Wildlife Management Area. This mid-1980s survey captures a region defined by extensive wetland systems and large-scale ranching operations, including the Lovejoy Ranch, Churchill Ranch, and Baker Ranch. These family-named landmarks are situated among a high density of water bodies, from the prominent Ell Lake and Big Alkali Lake to the smaller Smith Lake and Rogers Lake.

Human intervention in this hydrologically complex terrain is visible through the Ainsworth Canal, which cuts across the central plains north of Evergreen Creek. The map also details the Big Alkali State Wildlife Management Area, highlighting the importance of conservation and habitat management in this unique Nebraska ecosystem. Terrain features like Lovejoy Flats and Bens Flat illustrate the localized topography between the creek beds and the numerous alkaline lakes.