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1954 Map of Wasta NW

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Wasta NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

The Cheyenne River winds through the heart of this mid-century Western South Dakota landscape, carving a deep valley that separates the high plateau from the river plains. Along its banks, the Levee near Bull Cr indicates early efforts to manage the river's seasonal volatility. The terrain is defined by dramatic erosional features like Telegraph Draw and Fivemile Draw, which drain the arid uplands toward the river valley.

Settlement is sparse, reflecting the rural character of the region during the post-war era. The presence of the Power Sch in the western reaches serves as a vital marker of the area's rural community structure. In the eastern valley, the area around Sunnyside and the topographic designation of Shyne provide specific points of interest for genealogists and local historians tracing the ranching and farming families who settled these rugged breaks between Elk Creek and Alkali Creek.