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2023 Map of Tenalquot Prairie

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Tenalquot Prairie
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Tenalquot Prairie dominates this landscape in Thurston County, where the transition from prairie to woodland is punctuated by glacial kettle lakes like Fiander Lake and Cat Lakes. The northern reaches are defined by the Nisqually River and the neighboring Nisqually Indian Community, while the southern end is anchored by the settlement of Rainier. This modern survey reveals a complex mosaic of land use, from the residential grids of Yelm and North Yelm to the extensive military reservation of Joint Base Lewis-Mcchord.

The infrastructure here reflects a mix of transit and industry, featuring the Centralia Canal and several private airstrips, including P-L Ranch Airport and Taylor Airport. Local heritage is preserved at Rainier Cem, while the course of the Deschutes River in the southwest corner marks the limit of the prairie's reach. The density of small lakes like McEnnery Lake and Gehrke Lake highlights the unique hydrology of this section of the Puget Sound lowlands.