1981 Map of Rat Lake SW

About this map

Lake Sakakawea dominates the landscape in this early 1980s look at the confluence of water and plateau in western North Dakota. The map illustrates the complex shoreline where the Missouri River enters the reservoir, featuring deeply incised drainages and high points like Crow Flies High. The topography reflects a post-dam environment where the rising waters of the mid-20th century transformed the river valley into a vast aquatic expanse, punctuated by landforms like Riverview and the waters of White Earth Bay. On the western shore, the small settlement of Elkhorn sits near the head of the Antelope Creek valley, surrounded by the protected grounds of the State Wildlife Management Area. This survey is particularly useful for understanding the underwater contours of the lake, which were integrated from earlier U.S. Corps of Engineers data to show the original valley floor beneath the current elevation.