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1985 Map of Mule Lake

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Mule Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Isolated ranchsteads like Daniels Ranch and Pound Ranch dot the rolling sandhills of Cherry County, defining the human footprint in this expansive grassland environment. The landscape is characterized by a high concentration of interdunal lakes and wetlands, much of which is preserved within the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. Large water bodies such as Mule Lake and the sprawling Dads Lake provide critical habitat in a region where water and grass dictate the rhythm of life.

The map reveals a specialized cattle-ranching geography, where the placement of the Pearson Ranch near the edge of Pearson Swamp illustrates the historical reliance on these lowland meadows for grazing and hay. The inclusion of the Rat and Beaver Lake State Wildlife Management Area underscores the dual nature of this territory in the mid-1980s: a working ranchland that simultaneously serves as a vital sanctuary for migratory birds and native wildlife.