1912 Map of Moon Lake

About this map

The Mississippi River defines the western edge of this territory, where the dynamic movement of water has shaped a landscape of islands and oxbows. Central to the area is the large, curved expanse of Moon Lake, once part of the river's main channel but now isolated behind Alcorn Island and Texas Island. This 1908 survey, conducted for the State of Mississippi Tallahatchie Drainage Commission, reveals a transition from the vast Unsurveyed Area west of the river to the developed agricultural and rail network of Coahoma and Tunica counties. The Mississippi Valley R R skirts the eastern shore of the lake, serving small settlements like Powell and the post office at Delta Gerald P O. Intricate water features like Yazoo Pass, Ginhouse Chute, and Carr Brake illustrate the complex hydrology of the Delta region before modern flood control measures fully altered these natural bypasses.