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2015 Map of Lake De Smet West

Name: 2015 Topographic Map of Lake De Smet West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2015
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

Lake De Smet anchors the eastern edge of this Johnson County landscape, where a complex network of man-made waterways illustrates the intensive water management of the Wyoming foothills. The terrain transitions from the elevations of Mowry Basin toward the plains, marked by a sophisticated system of irrigation features such as the Pride of the Valley Ditch, Yarwood Ditch, and Ruby Ditch. These ditches, alongside the Lake De Smet Canal, trace the history of land use and agricultural development in the region.

Water storage is central to this area, with Sparks Reservoir, Mowry Reservoir, and South Sayles Reservoir dotting the drainages of Sayles Cr and N Fork Shell Cr. Family and place-named roads like Loft Ranch Rd and Sand Creek Ranch Rd provide links to the ranching heritage of the territory. The map provides a clear record of the intersection between natural creek beds and the engineered infrastructure necessary for settlement in this arid environment.