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1951 Map of Wanblee NE

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Wanblee NE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

The winding White River defines the northern boundary of this 1951 survey, where the rugged terrain of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation meets the river valley. This landscape is marked by deep drainage systems and high vantage points like Kodak Point, illustrating the complex topography of the Basin region. The mapping reflects a sparsely populated area during the early postwar period, as part of the Missouri River Basin development program.

Evidence of early community infrastructure appears in the label for the Wells Sch (Abandoned), indicating a shift in local settlement patterns. Water management and resource extraction are visible through several Windmill sites, a Gaging Station on the river, and scattered Gravel Pit operations. Natural water sources like Cottonwood Creek, Pass Creek, and a solitary Spring highlight the essential reliance on groundwater in this part of South Dakota.