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1968 Map of Sheep Mountain

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Sheep Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Custer National Forest encompasses much of this high plains landscape in Harding County, where the distinctive landforms of the Slim Buttes rise above the surrounding prairie. This late-1960s survey documents a terrain defined by its water sources and geographic bottlenecks, most notably at Willard Gap. The map reveals a high density of named springs which were vital for ranching and wildlife in this semi-arid region, including Moonshine Spring, Eisler Spring, and Wolf Spring.

Sheep Mountain dominates the southern half of the sheet, serving as a prominent landmark between the drainages of Antelope Creek and Sheep Creek. The layout of fence and field lines, identified through 1964 aerial photography, illustrates the land management patterns used within the forest and adjacent private holdings during this era. This record is particularly useful for those tracing the history of water rights and early rangeland development in the Dakotas.