1976 Map of Pawnee Mound

About this map

Pawnee Mound rises as a prominent landmark above the western Kansas high plains in the late 1970s, marking a landscape defined by dramatic elevation shifts and sparse water sources. The map highlights a stark contrast between the elevated plateau and the broad, depressed basin of Pleasant Valley to the south. Central to the geography is the large expanse of Dry Lake, a feature that implies the seasonal nature of surface water in this arid environment. The transition between Scott Co and Finney Co is clearly delineated, crossing through terrain where the presence of multiple wells suggests a reliance on groundwater for agricultural or industrial use. This U.S. Geological Survey topographic record captures the region's topographical character before modern large-scale developments might have altered the visible landforms and drainage patterns.