1969 Map of Rousseau Creek

About this map

Cheyenne River Indian Reservation land meets the rising waters of Lake Oahe in this study of central South Dakota. The landscape is defined by the confluence of the Cheyenne River and the Missouri River basin, showing the extensive shoreline of the reservoir as it fills the deep draws and creek beds. The map documents a specific moment of transition as the Department of the Interior managed the development of the Missouri River Basin, with large areas marked as subject to controlled inundation. Inland from the water, the terrain is cut by drainage features like Fine Weather Draw and the winding course of Rousseau Creek. Evidence of early settlement and land use remains visible through the placement of a lone Cem near the river bluffs and the numerous fence and field lines identified from aerial photography, tracing the agricultural footprint on the high ground above the reservoir.