1956 Map of Vermilion Dam

About this map

The Vermilion Dam Lookout Tower stands as a sentinel over this wilderness landscape at the northern edge of the Superior National Forest. This 1950s survey, updated with 1969 aerial photography, reveals the intricate shoreline of the northern reaches of Vermilion Lake. The map details the water management and navigation infrastructure of the era, including the Gaging Station Vermilion Dam and the primary Vermilion River outflow. Numerous islands such as Hinsdale Island, Oak Island, and Knotts Island dot the bays, connected by narrow passages like Oak Narrows and Birch Narrows. The terrain is characterized by a dense network of water bodies within the Minnesota State Forest, where the complex geometry of Smart Bay, Wolf Bay, and Black Duck Bay defined the local geography for researchers and outdoorsmen alike before more modern developments altered the shorelines.