2010 Map of Empire Swamp

About this map

Summit Lookout Tower stands as a prominent sentinel in the northwest corner of this remote Wisconsin landscape, anchored by the E Tower Fire Ln. The terrain is defined by a dense network of hydrologic features, including the winding course of the Upper Tamarack River and the branching reaches of Crotte Creek and Sheosh Creek. This 2010 survey illustrates a region largely shaped by its water and woods, where human transit is limited to a few arterial routes like County Hwy-M and the aptly named Empire Wilderness Rd. The drainage pattern of Thompson Creek and Bear Creek suggests a low-lying, intricate ecosystem characteristic of Douglas County's northern wilds. For researchers, the map provides a precise look at the fire management and forestry infrastructure of the early 21st century, preserved here through its named roads and remaining fire lookout landmarks.