2021 Map of Owen Lake

About this map

Owen Lake and the winding drainage of Thunder Butte Creek define this section of Perkins County, South Dakota. The landscape is characterized by its intermittent watercourses and the section-line roads that impose a grid upon the rolling high plains. These drainage patterns, including Cone Tree Cr and Pickles Cr, illustrate the subtle topographic shifts that dictated ranching and land use across the West River region. The presence of Smith Cr and various branches of Thunder Butte Cr suggest a terrain where water remains the primary driver of geography. Transportation is primarily limited to gravel and dirt routes like Owen Lake Rd and 180th Ave, which connect remote holdings. This 2021 survey provides a modern baseline for tracing the enduring property lines and hydrographic features of this prairie landscape.