2014 Map of Westby Lake

About this map

The glacial prairie pothole region of the northern Great Plains is the defining feature of this landscape, where the boundary between Burke Co Mountrail Co divides a terrain dense with ephemeral wetlands and permanent water bodies. These depressions, known locally as sloughs, dominate the topography, with Ford Slough and Christensen Slough indicating the natural drainage patterns that have historically dictated road placement and land use. The presence of Westby Lake, Blanc Lake, and Hoover Lake further illustrates the high water table and the importance of waterfowl habitat in this part of North Dakota. A sparse grid of local roads, including CR-20 and 82nd St NW, provides the only structural overlay on a territory where the natural hydrography remains the primary landmark.