1981 Map of Short Bow Creek

About this map

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation lands within Jackson County define this prairie landscape, where the drainage network of the Pass Creek Basin converges. In this 1981 survey, the terrain is characterized by a series of seasonal waterways and springs, including Hooks Spring and Corn Spring, which were vital water sources for ranching and settlement in this semi-arid region. Small-scale water management is evident through various structures like Berry Dam and the Hume Creek Dam. The topographical character is marked by distinctive elevations like Half Dome and the winding course of Short Bow Creek. These features illustrate the sparse, water-dependent settlement patterns common on the reservation during the late twentieth century, before more modern infrastructure altered the rural landscape.