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2016 Map of Natural Dam

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Natural Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

The Oswegatchie River dominates this section of the North Country, carving a complex path through the landscape near the St. Lawrence and Jefferson county line. The river’s importance to the region's early development is evident in the cluster of small settlements that grew along its banks and tributaries, including Wegatchie, Elmdale, and the industrial-named Natural Dam. Each hamlet is connected by a dense network of local roads like Scotch Settlement Rd and Blue Pike Rd, reflecting a long history of rural habitation and agriculture.

Water bodies such as Yellow Lake and Mud Lake provide a counterpoint to the river's winding course. In the southern portion of the map, Spragueville and Keenes sit near the headwaters of Mattoon Cr, illustrating how these nineteenth-century villages were strategically positioned along water and road routes. This 2016 survey documents the enduring layout of these rural communities, where family-named roads like Kearney Rd and Campbell Rd still define the local geography.