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1971 Map of Portage Lake

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Portage Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Chippewa National Forest surrounds a complex network of waterways where the Leech Lake Indian Reservation meets the northern reaches of Leech Lake. This 1971 orthophotomap provides a photographic perspective of the dense timber and wetland landscape, highlighting the industrial and transportation corridors that bisect the wilderness. The Burlington Northern railroad runs east-west across the northern portion of the map, passing just north of Portage Lake and near the settlement of Ryan Village.

The interaction between land and water is central to this area, with Waboose Bay and Lake Winnibigoshish serving as major hydrologic anchors. Human activity is noted through scattered landmarks such as a Gravel Pit, a Cem, and several boat ramps, while the Federal Dam sits at the southeastern corner. Small settlements like Portage Lake occupy narrow strips of land between the lakes, illustrating the region's reliance on these shorelines for development.