2017 Map of Rat Lake SW

About this map

Little Missouri National Grassland dominates the western and southern reaches of this landscape, reflecting the expansive public conservation efforts within the Missouri River basin. The geography is defined by the massive reservoir of Lake Sakakawea, which carves through the center of the sheet, separating the upland prairies of McKenzie Co and Mountrail Co. This high-desert terrain is deeply incised by the drainages of Little Antelope Cr and Antelope Cr, which feed into the main body of the lake. The road network is sparse, consisting primarily of section-line routes such as 48th Ave NW and Co Rte 6, illustrating the low-density grazing and ranching character of the region. The map provides a clear look at the intricate shoreline and the legal boundaries of the public grasslands in the years following the mid-20th-century damming of the Missouri.