1978 Map of Oat Creek

About this map

The Black Hills Meridian serves as the primary longitudinal anchor for this high-plains landscape where the borders of Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska converge. The drainage patterns on this 1970s survey reveal a complex network of seasonal waterways, including the main channel of Oat Creek and its tributary, the Cottonwood Prong. To the north, the headwaters of South Cottonwood Creek and Simms Draw carve through the terrain, while the southern reaches are defined by Brush Creek and Eagle Draw. This area is characterized by its sparse human infrastructure, with only occasional markers such as a Tank or Well breaking the expanse of the open range. The map provides an exacting look at the tri-state boundary region, tracing the legal divisions between Niobrara County, Wyoming; Fall River County, South Dakota; and Sioux County, Nebraska during a period when the land remained largely dedicated to ranching and resource extraction.