2017 Map of Helde Lake

About this map

Helde Lake and the surrounding prairie pothole region of Burke County dominate this landscape, characterized by a dense network of glacial wetlands and small water bodies. The terrain is defined by its numerous depressions, including Sand Bottom Lake, Swim Lake, and the elongated Sand Slough, which reflect the post-glacial topography of the Northern Plains. A systematic grid of section-line roads, such as Co Rd 11 and 87th St NW, provides access across the township boundaries of t161n r92w, t160n r92w, and t159n r92w. This land-use pattern indicates a predominantly agricultural focus, where the irregular shapes of Jud Christs Lake and Island Lake break the rigid geometry of the rural road system. The mapping of these ephemeral and permanent water features offers a detailed record of the local hydrology prior to modern drainage or conservation shifts.