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1978 Map of Porter Creek

Name: 1978 Topographic Map of Porter Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The North Fork Moreau River cuts through the northernmost edge of this high plains landscape, anchoring a drainage system that defines the local topography. This 1978 survey highlights the border region of Harding Co and Butte Co, where the environment is dictated by seasonal watercourses and expansive rangeland. The map illustrates a complex network of intermittent streams, including Cottonwood Creek, South Cottonwood Creek, and Porter Creek, which carve winding paths across the terrain.

Remote and sparsely populated, the area relies on the life-giving flow of Horse Creek, Flat Creek, and Spring Creek to sustain the ranching lifestyle characteristic of this part of western South Dakota. The detailed contour lines reveal the subtle but significant elevation changes between the creek beds and the surrounding tablelands, providing a clear picture of the land as it was managed in the late 1970s.