2018 Map of Urne

About this map

Nelson and Alma anchor this survey of Buffalo County, where the topography is defined by the dramatic ascent from the river bottoms to high ridges. The landscape is carved into a series of distinct coulees and valleys, including Fox Coulee, Dry Coulee, and the significant drainage of Larson Valley and Norwegian Valley. These geographic features dictate the winding paths of local roads such as Great River Rd and Deer Creek Rd, which navigate the steep elevations between Rattlesnake Bluff and the wetland margins of Catfish Slough. For local historians, the placement of the Nelson Cem and Church Valley Cem provides clear markers of early community centers. The network of creeks, including Trout Cr and By Golly Cr, illustrates the intricate watershed system feeding into the larger river corridor beyond the bluffs.