1956 Map of Sansarc NE

About this map

The Cheyenne River winds through this central South Dakota landscape, defining the border between Dewey and Stanley counties. This 1956 field check occurs during a transformative period for the Missouri River Basin; dashed light-blue patterns indicate areas destined to be submerged by the Oahe Reservoir at an elevation flood control pool of 1617 feet. The map documents the existing ranching economy before the rising waters altered the shoreline, featuring family operations such as the Vanderveer Ranch, Sunshine Ranch, and West Ranch along the riverbanks. High plateaus like Kid Rich Flats and Marion Flats overlook the drainage of Foster Creek. Cultural sites are concentrated on the northern banks within the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, including Walking Horse Cem and Lindsay Cem, providing critical data for genealogists tracking family burials in areas affected by mid-century water management projects.