2014 Map of Plum Butte

About this map

Plum Butte rises as a prominent landmark in this section of the Great Plains, marking a rugged deviation in the landscape just south of the Hettinger and Adams County line. This 2014 survey reveals a transition between the northern high plains and the drainage basins of the Missouri River tributaries. The map documents the persistent agricultural grid, defined by a dense network of section-line roads like 21st St NE and 14th Ave NE, which navigate the undulating terrain and the seasonal watercourses of Timber Cr and Sheep Cr. In the northwest corner, the basin of Dry Lake serves as a reminder of the region's semi-arid hydrology, where large natural depressions often remain dry except during periods of high runoff. This map captures the intersection of traditional land divisions with the natural contours of the North Dakota badlands fringe.