2015 Map of Missouri Valley NW

About this map

Magnolia and the nearby settlement of Calhoun sit at the intersection of Iowa's Loess Hills and its agricultural plains. The topography reveals a striking contrast between the heavily eroded bluffs to the east and the flat, engineered valley floor to the west. This lowland drainage is managed through a complex network of man-made waterways including E Soldier Ditch, Nelson Ditch, and Modale Ditch, which work alongside natural flows like Allen Creek and Willow Creek. For local historians and genealogists, the map identifies specific community landmarks such as Magnolia Cem and Calhoun Cem. The transition from winding ridge roads like Harvard Trl to the rigid section-line grid of the valley reflects the historic adaptation of Iowa's transport and farming infrastructure to its unique western landscape.