1970 Map of Lake De Smet East

About this map

Lake De Smet dominates the northwestern corner of this 1970 landscape, its waters reaching toward Seney Point amidst a network of ranching and water management infrastructure. The eastern shore of the lake and the surrounding Wyoming high plains are marked by a complex system of irrigation and transport, including the Lake De Smet Canal, Sand Ditch, and Redman Ditch. These waterways underscore the importance of water rights and land use in Johnson County during this era. In the southern reaches, Clear Creek and Rock Creek wind through the terrain near the Buffalo Municipal Airport, which includes a distinct Landing Strip. The map also details numerous ephemeral features like Murray Draw and Hodges Draw, alongside the Moore Reservoir, illustrating the hydrologic character of the region before significant modern development altered these rural drainages.