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1971 Map of Sheep Pen Draw

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

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Sheep Pen Draw cuts through the high plains of Harding County, South Dakota, defining a drainage system that feeds into the Grand River. In the early 1970s, this landscape was characterized by its watercourses and isolation, with the South Fork Grand River meeting the main stem in the southeastern quadrant. The topography is marked by numerous named tributaries, including Bull Creek, Jones Creek, and Sand Creek, which illustrate the complex erosion patterns of the region.

Evidence of local activity is sparse but specific, centered on the Stensland Landing Strip and a Gravel Pit near the southern boundary. These features, along with names like Hay Cr and Coal Creek, suggest a rural economy reliant on small-scale extraction and light aviation to navigate the expansive distances of the western Dakotas. The map provides a clear record of fence and field lines as they existed prior to 1974, offering a point of reference for land use and ranching history.