2017 Map of Lake De Smet West

About this map

Mowry Basin and the western shores of Lake De Smet define this Wyoming landscape, where an intricate network of irrigation projects supports high-plains agriculture. The reliance on water management is evident in the dense concentration of named waterways, from major arteries like the Lake De Smet Canal to localized infrastructure such as the Pride of the Valley Ditch, Yarwood Ditch, and Pierson Ditch. These systems divert flow from the many creek branches, including N Fork Shell Cr and Sayles Cr, into essential storage points like South Sayles Reservoir and Sparks Reservoir. The rural road network, including Sand Creek Ranch Rd and High Divide Rd, follows the contours of the drainage divides, linking remote ranching operations to the larger regional corridor along the lake's edge.