1981 Map of Rat Lake

About this map

Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River define the southern landscape of this 1981 survey in Mountrail County. The terrain is characterized by the winding path of the White Earth River, which feeds into White Earth Bay. This area serves as a significant ecological corridor, evidenced by the large National Waterfowl Production Area located in the southeastern quadrant near Robinson Lake. The map details a transition from the river valley to the higher plateau of Deering, marked by numerous small depressions and water bodies typical of this northern plains region. A Gravel Pit near the center of the sheet indicates local industry tied to the land's geological makeup. The survey also captures the original underwater contours of Lake Sakakawea, sourced from earlier USCE records, showing the topography of the river valley before the reservoir reached its full extent.