Loading map...

2020 Map of Sanish SW

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Sanish SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Lake Sakakawea and the ancient course of the Missouri River dominate this landscape, where the waters meet the complex breaks of the Missouri Plateau. This modern survey illustrates the rugged drainage systems that feed the reservoir, including the deep incisions of Whitebody Coulée and Horse Camp Coulee. High points like Blue Butte provide significant topographic relief above the surrounding plains, marking the divide between the river valley and the interior uplands.

The map reveals a sparsely populated region defined by its physical geography and administrative boundaries, including the intersection of McKenzie, Mountrail, and Dunn Counties. Infrastructure is limited to essential routes such as Turnkey Ridge Rd and Bia RD 4, which traverse the plateaus between the coulees. Features like Bear Den Bay and the mouth of Bear Den Cr highlight the indented shoreline of the lake, serving as critical points of reference for understanding the modern hydrology of this North Dakota region.