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1956 Map of Wakpala NW

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Wakpala NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Grand River flows through the southern portion of this landscape within the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, where the creation of Lake Oahe is documented through purple revision overlays. These updates, based on 1976 aerial photography, illustrate the rising water levels at elevation 1608 feet, significantly altering the river valley compared to the original 1956 field checks. Cultural landmarks like Long Hill Cem and Sacred Heart Cem are situated on the higher ground north of the river, providing valuable points of reference for local historians and genealogists.

Transportation and commerce are anchored by the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad, which skirts the northern boundary near Oak Creek. The settlement of Riverview and numerous bench marks, such as BM Riverview 1954 and BM 2019, detail the topography of the McLaughlin and Mahto districts. The map provides a precise record of the transition from a river-dominated valley to a reservoir landscape.