1981 Map of Gabbro Lake

About this map

Gabbro Lake and Bald Eagle Lake dominate this landscape within the Superior National Forest during the early 1980s. This survey, compiled from 1977 aerial photography, highlights a primitive and water-dependent transportation network defined by numerous portage routes connecting isolated basins like Pietro Lake and Turtle Lake. The presence of Dam No 1 at the outlet of Little Gabbro L indicates a managed waterway system, while the surrounding Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness preserves a roadless character. The hydrography, verified by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, reveals a intricate drainage pattern through the Stony River region, where smaller water bodies such as Norway Lake and August Lake are linked by seasonal streams like Nickel Creek and Cobalt Creek. This map captures the wilderness state of Lake County prior to modern digital mapping, preserving the specific placement of landmarks like the Gate near Carney Lake.