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1982 Map of White River West

Name: 1982 Topographic Map of White River West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

White River serves as the focal point for this ranching landscape in Mellette County during the early 1980s. The map illustrates a community defined by vast family-held lands, including the Jensen Ranch, Stromer Ranch, and Gary Astleford Ranch, which populate the high ground above the river valleys. A notable industrial presence is seen near the settlement of White River, where a Concrete Dam Spillway, Small Power Plant, and several Pump Houses indicate the infrastructure required for water and power management in this prairie environment.

The confluence of the White River and the Little White River dominates the eastern half of the sheet, while the Cottonwood Valley extends to the north. Local history is anchored by spiritual and commemorative sites such as Saint Ignatius Cem and Saint James Cem. The network of drainages, including Dry Creek and Pine Creek, highlights the importance of water access for the various ranching operations scattered across the terrain.