2017 Map of Tar Valley

About this map

Tar Valley defines the landscape of this region, which straddles the boundary between Morrill County and Garden County. The terrain is characterized by the intricate contour patterns typical of the Nebraska Sandhills, where drainage is sparse and the geography is shaped by depression basins and occasional water bodies. In the northeast corner of the sheet, Horse Lake sits as a primary hydrological feature in an otherwise arid expanse. The human footprint is defined by a sparse grid of rural transport, with routes like Rd 98, Rd 96, and Rd 88 providing the only structured access through the valley and surrounding sections. This 2017 study illustrates the persistent isolation of the area, where land is partitioned into large townships like t20n r47w, reflecting a ranching economy that remains dependent on the specific topography of the valley floors.