1966 Map of Lower Brule NE

About this map

Missouri River Lake Sharpe dominates this mid-1960s landscape, illustrating the dramatic change to the central South Dakota river valley following the development of the Missouri River Basin project. The reservoir’s irregular shoreline cuts through the rolling terrain, marking the intersection of several regional boundaries including the Crow Creek Indian Reservation Boundary and the Lower Brule Indian Reservation Boundary. The map documents the meeting point of Hyde, Lyman, Hughes, and Buffalo counties as they converge along the submerged river channel. Sparse infrastructure is limited to a few scattered structures and a Cem located on the bluffs overlooking the water. Small drainages like Soldier Creek feed into the lake from the east, while a small Gravel Pit on the western shore points to the localized industrial activity required for road maintenance and development during this era of transformation.