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1972 Map of Nelson Lake

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Nelson Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1975
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1975

About this map

The Milton R Young Powerplant and its adjacent Substation stand as the industrial focal point of this Oliver County landscape during the early 1970s. This facility sits on the eastern shore of Nelson Lake, a reservoir created to support the energy infrastructure of the region. The map documents the heavy industrial footprint of the era, including a nearby Strip Mine and an Aqueduct that cuts across the northern sections.

Beyond the power facilities, the terrain is defined by the winding course of Square Butte Creek and Hagel Creek, which feed into the lake. Evidence of the rural infrastructure supporting this energy hub is visible through a Landing Strip, a Gaging Station, and a Flowing Well. While much of the land is dedicated to mining and utility operations, the inclusion of a Picnic Area on the lake's western shore indicates a recreational dimension to this engineered environment.