1969 Map of Hog Island

About this map

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Boundary defines the northern reaches of this landscape where Cherry and Sheridan counties meet the South Dakota border. The terrain is characterized by an intricate network of wetlands and shallow basins, anchored by the central prominence of Hog Island. Significant water bodies such as Shell Lake, Dads Lake, and Thompson Lake dot the region, illustrating the hydrologic character of the Nebraska Sandhills. Evidence of local water management is visible through the Meadow Horseshoe Ditch, which connects to Alkali Lake in the east. While primarily a natural expanse, small-scale industrial activity is noted at a Sandpit near the western edge. This survey, conducted as part of the Missouri River Basin development program, captures the area's geography just as modern aerial photogrammetry was refining the mapping of these complex shorelines, including family-named landmarks like Mullis Lake and Trucks Lake.