2022 Map of Gibson Creek

About this map

The Smoky Hill River flows through this section of Trego County, Kansas, carving a distinct east-west valley across the central landscape. This topographic record illustrates a traditional High Plains drainage pattern, where numerous seasonal tributaries like Hackberry Cr and Wild Horse Cr feed the primary river system. The terrain is organized by a strictly rectilinear network of section roads, including U RD and X RD, which delineate the agricultural grid characteristic of the region's township and range surveying. Smaller watercourses such as Gibson Cr and Rattlesnake Cr define the southern drainage, showcasing the subtle elevation changes that directed early settlement and grazing paths. The map reveals the relationship between these natural waterways and the human-imposed geometry of the Kansas prairie.