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2020 Map of Tappen North

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Tappen North
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Glacial prairie potholes and extensive wetlands dominate this part of Kidder County, where the sprawling waters of Sibley Lake and Stony Lake reflect the unique hydrology of the Missouri Coteau. The landscape is a complex network of sloughs and basins, including McPhail Slough, Mud Lake, and Big Muddy Lake, which define the region's character. In the southern reach, the small communities of Dawson and Tappen sit along the primary transport corridor, serving as local hubs in an area otherwise dedicated to section-line roads and open ranch land.

Local history and genealogy are anchored by several rural landmarks, such as Buckeye Lutheran Cem to the north and Fisher Cem near the town sites. Aviation plays a role in the local infrastructure with the M Bodvig Airstrip and Tappen Airstrip positioned among the fields. Rising above the low-lying wetlands, McPhail Butte provides a rare point of elevation in a terrain otherwise shaped by the clustered waters of the Pass Lakes and Ashley Lake.