1985 Map of Nelson Lake

About this map

Fence Lake and the surrounding wilderness of the Copper Country State Forest dominate this mid-1980s landscape on the border of Baraga and Iron counties. The terrain is defined by a complex network of waterways, including the West Branch Michigamme River and the winding E Br Fence R. While largely undeveloped, the map documents specific points of human modification to the natural drainage, notably at Hamilton Dam and Nylegan Dam. A single Gravel Pit near the river indicates the localized industrial activity typical of the Upper Peninsula’s resource-heavy economy. Collectors of Michigan history can trace the primitive roads and pipelines that traverse this wooded region, connecting smaller water bodies like St Johns Lake and Nelson Lake through the dense forest sections of Crystal Falls and Spur.