1985 Map of Long Lake

About this map

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge dominates this section of the Nebraska Sandhills, preserving a landscape of sprawling wetlands and undulating dunes. The area is characterized by a series of significant alkaline and freshwater bodies, including South Marsh Lake, Center Lake, Twentyone Lake, and Long Lake. These waters provided essential resources for early 20th-century cattle operations in Cherry County, evidenced by isolated homesteads such as Pedersen Ranch and Hassel Ranch. The terrain transitions from the low-lying Sweetwater Valley to the intricate drainage of Goose Cr in the south. This 1985 provisional map provides a clear view of the rural ranching infrastructure and natural water distribution before modern development or major shifts in land use altered the local geography.