1972 Map of Steamboat Bay

About this map

Leech Lake dominates this orthophotomap, showing the intricate intersection of land and water in Cass County during the early 1970s. This hybrid map combines high-altitude aerial photography with topographic contour lines, providing a clear view of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation Boundary as it skirts around Minnesota Island and across The Narrows. Large tracts of protected timberland, including Welsh Lake State Forest and the Chippewa National Forest, define the shoreline character. Notable waterways like the Steamboat River and the man-made Roosevelt Canal near Shingobee highlight the historic transport and drainage patterns of the region. This edition provides researchers with a rare visual of the vegetation and shoreline before significant modern developments, particularly around Walker Bay and Traders Bay.