1987 Map of Square Lake

About this map

The North Loup River winds through the southern edge of this Sandhills landscape, providing a critical water source in an otherwise arid expanse of undulating dunes. Ranching life is documented through established operations like Sears Ranch and Kidder Ranch, which are situated near the seasonal drainages of Big Dry Valley and Wamaduze Valley. The area is defined by its numerous isolated basins and wetlands, ranging from the prominent Square Lake and Stout Lake to smaller features like Alkali Pond and Mud Lake. These features reveal the intricate hydrology of the region in the late 1980s, where wind-formed depressions in the sand created a network of semi-permanent lakes and meadows essential for cattle grazing. The proximity of Twin Lakes and Packingham Lake further illustrates the varied water table that supported localized settlement and agricultural viability in this section of Cherry County.