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1957 Map of Watford City

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Watford City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

The Missouri River and Little Missouri River carve through this western North Dakota landscape during a period of significant environmental and infrastructure change. The expansive Garrison Reservoir dominates the eastern portion of the sheet, its rising waters surrounding the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and several Indian Service Headquarters locations. This mid-century survey documents the region just as these major water projects were altering the geography of local ranching and tribal lands.

Industrial and natural landmarks are scattered across the badlands and prairies, from the Burning Mine to the distinctive Killdeer Mountains. The map provides an intricate look at the rural school system of the era, including the Watford City School, Hawkeye School, and Winning School. Conservation and recreational areas are well-defined, with both the North and South Units of the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park established alongside the Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge.