2018 Map of Karnak

About this map

The Cache River and its intricate drainage network dominate this Southern Illinois landscape at the junction of Johnson, Pulaski, and Massac counties. The village of Karnak sits at a critical hydrologic transition where the Old Cache River and the Post Creek Cutoff diverge, illustrating the region's complex history of water management. To the north, the geography shifts toward the wetland environment of Little Black Slough and the prominent rising ground of Boss Island. Small, scattered settlements like Belknap, Forman, and Boaz serve as anchors for the rural road network, while local heritage is preserved in sites such as Masonic Cem, Wildcat Cem, and Miller Cem. The presence of features like Wildcat Bluff and Indian Point suggests a terrain more varied than the low-lying bottoms found further south, providing a distinct character to this portion of the Illinois Ozarks foothills.