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2015 Map of Lake Francis

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

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

Coteau des Prairies defines the topographic character of this Deuel County landscape, where glacial landforms create a complex network of wetlands and small basins. The settlement of Moritz sits centrally within a grid of section-line roads, including CR-309 and 177th St, illustrating the enduring structure of the Public Land Survey System in eastern South Dakota. This high-altitude plateau serves as a significant drainage divide, evidenced by the multiple creek systems radiating through the terrain.

Hydrological features are the most prominent markers on the land, from the named basin of Lake Francis to the meandering Monighan Cr. The map also captures the headwaters of the W Br Lac qui Parle River, which eventually flows toward the Minnesota River valley. For those studying local geography, these water bodies—including Rush Lake, Briggs Lake, and Mud Lake—reflect the natural depressions characteristic of the Missouri Coteau region.