2017 Map of Opal West

About this map

Opal stands in the southeastern corner of this Mead County landscape, where the high plains of South Dakota are etched by an extensive network of drainage branches. The hydrology of the area is defined by the complex system of the Pine Cr, including the Middle Br Pine Cr, E Br Pine Cr, and W Br Pine Cr, which carve through the terrain alongside other local water bodies like Beaver Cr and Horse Cr. This 2017 survey reveals a sparse settlement pattern typical of the Fox Ridge region, with life and commerce primarily organized around rural thoroughfares such as Maurine Rd and Opal Rd. The presence of Vansickel Lake provides a notable landmark in a region otherwise dominated by seasonal creek beds and section-line roads, offering a clear view of the ranching and agricultural layout of western South Dakota in the early 21st century.