2021 Map of Mayhew Lake

About this map

Dry Valley and its surrounding sandhills define this portion of Cherry County, Nebraska, where the landscape is characterized by wide alluvial basins and seasonal hydrology. The area's history of rural settlement is anchored at the Dry Valley Cem, a key landmark for genealogists tracing family roots in this sparsely populated cattle country. Water is the primary driver of life and geography here, with Mayhew Lake and Little Steen Marsh providing critical habitat in the northern sections, while Big Creek meanders through the central ranchlands. The map reveals the functional organization of the landscape into large named flats such as Poole Flat and Marsh Flat, connected by a network of ranch roads including W Big Creek Rd and E Big Creek Rd. This survey documents the traditional land use patterns of the Great Plains, where natural valley features dictate the placement of local infrastructure and historic burial grounds.