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1986 Map of Willmar

Name: 1986 Topographic Map of Willmar
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The Chippewa River and its East Branch carve through the glacial till of west-central Minnesota, defining a landscape of prairie wetlands and intensive agriculture. This mid-1980s record captures a region anchored by Willmar and Benson, where the Burlington Northern railroad lines dictated the placement of grain-handling settlements like De Graff, Murdock, and Pennock.

A significant portion of the terrain is dedicated to conservation, shown through an extensive network of National Waterfowl Production Areas and state-managed lands such as the Lac qui Parle State Wildlife Management Area. Local landmarks ranging from the heights of Mount Tom in Sibley State Park to the Benson Airport reflect the mix of recreational and civil infrastructure. Numerous lakes, including Lake Johanna and Norway Lake, highlight the area's characteristic post-glacial topography, providing a detailed look at the water-rich prairie before modern suburban expansion.