1981 Map of Smoky Lake

About this map

Smoky Lake and Big Sand Lake dominate this borderland landscape, where the northern woods of Michigan meet the lake country of Wisconsin. This 1981 survey depicts a region defined by extensive forest management and recreation, split between the Ottawa National Forest to the north and the Nicolet National Forest to the south. The presence of the Phelps Municipal Landing Strip and a Golf Course near the shores of Smoky Lake suggests a developed seasonal character even in this heavily forested area. The map traces the intricate water network of the Phelps and Alvin townships, including the headwaters of Elvoy Creek at Elvoy Springs and the secluded Jewel Lake. The state boundary itself zig-zags through the terrain, cutting across timberlands and several smaller water bodies like Little Smoky Lake and Horseshoe Lake.