2021 Map of Rutland NW

About this map

Coteau des Prairies, a vast glacial highland, defines the topography of this region where three South Dakota counties converge. The landscape is dotted with prominent wetlands and water bodies, including Pederson Slough, Molumby Slough, and the expansive Mud Lake. These natural features dictated the early settlement patterns of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as seen in the placement of rural landmarks like the Oslo Lutheran Cem and Prairie Queen Cem. The map illustrates the transition from the high plateau down toward the drainage of Battle Creek, showing how the section-line road grid adapts to the irregular terrain of the prairie potholes. Local history is anchored by these small, scattered cemeteries and the winding course of the creek, which reflect the enduring agricultural and spiritual footprints of the families who first farmed this portion of Lake County, Brookings County, and Moody County.