2013 Map of Moorhead NW

About this map

Preparation Canyon State Park dominates the southeastern corner of this quadrangle, preserving a portion of the western Iowa landscape where the Loess Hills begin to drop toward the river valleys. The small settlement of Preparation sits adjacent to the park, a location with deep roots in local pioneer history. The western section of the map is defined by the managed hydrology of the Little Sioux River and the Monona Harrison Ditch, which run parallel through the flat alluvial plain. This area shows a distinct contrast between the straightened drainage channels of the bottomlands and the winding natural courses of Cottonwood Creek and Beaver Creek as they descend from the higher ground. Modern infrastructure is represented by the grid of county roads and Larpenteur Memorial Rd, providing a clear view of how rural land ownership and transportation have adapted to the unique topography of Monona County.