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1971 Map of Saddle Butte

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Saddle Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

South Fork Grand River and the Little Grand River converge in this corner of Northwest South Dakota, defining a landscape of braided waterways and prairie buttes. The area's mid-century ranching and aviation footprint is evidenced by the Lamphere-Thompson Landing Strip situated near Brush Butte, while the Grand River Cem stands as a focal point for local genealogical research near the river's bend.

Surface water management is highlighted by Lake Gardner, featuring a noted spillway elevation of 2925 feet. Prominent landmarks such as Saddle Butte and Brush Creek rise above the drainage networks of Graves Creek and Pine Spring Creek. The map records the intricate network of section lines and fences that organized this rangeland in the early 1970s, providing a clear view of the rural infrastructure before modern shifts in land use.