2014 Map of Williams Lake

About this map

The Little Missouri National Grassland dominates this section of the western North Dakota high plains, where the drainage basins of several key tributaries intersect. The landscape is defined by the winding paths of Bull Run Cr and Cottonwood Cr, which carve through the terrain before crossing the county line shared by Slope and Golden Valley counties. In the northeast, the presence of William Lake and the Williams Reservoir indicates the critical importance of managed water resources in this arid cattle-ranching region. Further south, Horse Cr cuts through the topography, illustrating the intricate network of coulees and draws that characterize the Badlands periphery. This survey captures the remote character of the grasslands, showing how the natural drainage systems dictated the placement of ranch roads and boundaries in a sparsely settled corner of the state.