2017 Map of Mule Creek

About this map

Mule Cr winds through the expansive prairie of Haakon County, defining the drainage patterns of this sparsely settled landscape. In this 2017 study, the intricate network of creek beds, including Mitchell Cr and Plum Cr, illustrates the hydrological character of the western South Dakota plains. The survey highlights the intersection of rural infrastructure and natural terrain, where long stretches of unpaved transit like Quinn Rd and Ottumwa Rd traverse the section lines. These roads follow the Public Land Survey System boundaries, specifically across t4n r22e and t5n r23e, showing how late-20th and early-21st-century land management maintains the grid established by early settlers. The presence of Shantu Cr and Deer Cr further emphasizes the reliance on these seasonal waterways in an environment shaped by vast open spaces and limited development.