2011 Map of Lexington NW

About this map

Dry Fork Wood River and Crooked Creek carve through this rural Dawson County landscape, which is defined by an extensive network of man-made water management features. The area's agricultural reliance on water storage is evident in the numerous family-named dams and reservoirs, including Katy West Reservoir, O Connor Reservoir Number 1, and Prasch Reservoir. These small-scale impoundments, often located at the headwaters of intermittent streams, suggest a carefully managed prairie environment where surface water is precious. Transportation is primarily facilitated by a grid of rural routes such as Wiley Canyon Rd and Smokey Hill Rd, which provide access to the dispersed farmsteads and school lands. The inclusion of School Land Reservoir Number 1 and its counterpart, School Land Reservoir Number 2, points to the historic allocation of sections for educational funding, a practice deeply rooted in Nebraska's development.