1984 Map of Gieseck

About this map

Oxbow lakes and meandering waterways dominate this portion of the Arkansas delta, where the St Francis River and Old River define a landscape shaped by historical flooding and drainage efforts. The map reveals the intricate water network of the region, featuring numerous named bodies such as Neelys Lake, Prophet Lake, and Shaver Lake. Smaller rural clusters like Gieseck, Duvall, and Gladden are situated among a grid of agricultural fields and drainage canals, including Blackfish Ditch No 13. The boundary between Cross and St. Francis counties cuts through the southern section, highlighting the importance of waterways like Little Bivens Bayou and Patterson Lake in defining local geography. This survey, based on early 1980s aerial photography, captures the drainage patterns and land use of the eastern Arkansas lowlands before modern infrastructure further altered the natural flow of the St. Francis basin.