1980 Map of Rush Lake

About this map

Spring Lake Ch stands as a focal point in this 1980s landscape of Ward County, where the transition between agricultural land and protected wetlands is clearly defined. The terrain is characterized by numerous glacial depressions, most notably Rush Lake, which is surrounded by the National Waterfowl Production Area. This conservation designation reflects the region's importance to the Central Flyway, with large tracts of land dedicated to habitat preservation. Further west, Nelson Lake provides a hub for local recreation, featuring a designated Public Access point and Picnic Area. The land use pattern here is a mix of conservation and extraction, as evidenced by several Gravel Pits scattered across the townships of Rice Lake and Spring Lake. Small-scale infrastructure like the local church and the system of section-line roads illustrates the quiet, rural character of the area in the late twentieth century.