2017 Map of Hells Canyon

About this map

Hells Canyon and the surrounding rangeland of Harding County characterize this high plains landscape. The topography is defined by the West Short Pine Hills to the northwest, dropping into a complex drainage system fed by Valley Cr and Cady Cr. These intermittent streams flow toward the southern edge of the sheet, where the S Fork Moreau River cuts through the territory. Human presence is marked primarily by ranching infrastructure and a geometric grid of rural roads, including Harding Rd and Dillon Rd, which navigate the elevation changes. The presence of Leger Dam in the eastern section highlights the critical role of water management in this arid South Dakota environment.