2021 Map of Willow Creek NW

About this map

Tahc'a Okute Wakpa and its surrounding drainage systems define this section of the Oglala Lakota landscape. The map captures a high-elevation plateau environment where the Tahc'a Okute Aglehan terrain meets the northern edge of the Badlands National Park. This 2021 survey documents the intricate branching of the Willow Creek system, including the Middle Fork Willow Cr, E Fork Willow Cr, and W Fork Willow Cr. Transportation across this upland area is limited to a few primary corridors, most notably BIA Hwy 2 and the Red Shirt Table Rd, which trace the higher ground between the deeply carved creek beds. The drainage patterns shown here provide a clear look at the geological forces shaping the Pine Ridge reservation area, highlighting how water moves through the high tablelands into the basin below.