2011 Map of Kettle Falls

About this map

The international boundary between the United States and Canada bisects this remote water-dominated landscape where Rainy Lake and Namakan Lake meet. At the center of this aquatic crossroads lies Kettle Falls, a critical portage point that has historically served as a gateway between these major northern basins. The terrain is defined by a complex archipelago of landforms, including the prominent Smith Island, Surveyors Island, and Minnitaki Island, which fragment the open water into narrow channels and sheltered bays. Smaller features such as Rabbit Island and Sand Bay Island dot the expanse of Rainy Lake, while Snake Island sits near the southern shoreline in Namakan Lake. This survey provides a precise spatial record of the irregular shoreline and island chains that characterize this border region, illustrating the intricate geography where land and water are inextricably linked along the northern edge of Minnesota.