2014 Map of Hessey Lake

About this map

Hessey Lake and the surrounding alkaline basin of Garden County define this corner of the Nebraska Sandhills. The landscape is a network of ephemeral and semi-permanent water bodies, including Black Steer Lake and Wolf Lake, which sit within the depressions of a vast, undulating dune field. These lakes are critical points of reference in a terrain where traditional landmarks are sparse, connected by a few rural corridors like Lakeside Rd and Road 181. The naming conventions for features such as Mud Hole Lake and Northwest Meadow Lake reflect the practical, observational language of the ranchers who navigate this cattle country. This 2014 survey captures the hydrography of the region at a specific moment, showing how even minor catchments like Webster Lake and Shafer Lake are integrated into the larger geography of the Platte River valley watershed system.