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1981 Map of Smoky Lake

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Smoky Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1990
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1990

About this map

The Michigan-Wisconsin border cuts through this Northwoods landscape, dividing the Ottawa National Forest to the north from the Nicolet National Forest to the south. Central to this region is the elongated Smoky Lake, flanked by Little Smoky Lake and the recreational grounds of Holmes Park. The presence of the Phelps Municipal Landing Strip and multiple Boat Ramp locations indicates the area's development as a mid-century seasonal destination and forestry hub.

Glacial topography is evident in the dense cluster of kettle lakes, including Big Sand Lake, Jewel Lake, and Moose Lake. Waterways like Elvoy Creek and Pendleton Creek drain the timberlands, while several Gravel Pits suggest the infrastructure needs of this remote borderland. The map provides a precise look at the transition between Gogebic and Iron counties in Michigan and Vilas and Forest counties in Wisconsin during the early 1980s.