Blackwell Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota
Blackwell Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota
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Blackwell Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota
This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version
Blackwell Lake is a 307-acre natural lake in Douglas County located eight to nine miles southwest of Alexandria, featuring a maximum depth of 42 feet with an average depth of 10 feet, appealing 12.3-foot water clarity, and five miles of scenic shoreline. Named for George Blackwell, a pioneer who settled in the area in 1868, the lake is classified as a Recreational Development water with excellent fish community health as indicated by strong FIBI scores above the impairment threshold for aquatic life. The DNR reports that anglers should enjoy Blackwell, with Largemouth Bass being particularly abundant, along with healthy populations of Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, and multiple bullhead species including Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, plus Bowfin and various forage fish. The lake features diverse habitat with aquatic vegetation and varied depth structure creating ideal conditions for year-round fishing success. With a public boat launch providing convenient access and no horsepower restrictions, the lake is perfect for fishing, boating, water skiing, kayaking, swimming, and excellent ice fishing during Minnesota winters
Located near the communities of Kensington, Garfield, and Lowry approximately eight to nine miles southwest of Alexandria in the heart of Minnesota's lakes region, Blackwell Lake offers easy access to one of the state's premier vacation destinations with over 350 lakes within the area. Alexandria, known as "Birthplace of America" and home of the iconic 28-foot tall Big Ole Viking statue, features the world-famous Runestone Museum showcasing the controversial Kensington Runestone discovered by a farmer in 1898 that may prove Vikings visited Minnesota long before Columbus, plus the Legacy of the Lakes Museum celebrating Minnesota's lake life with historic boat displays. Visitors can explore the Alexandria Chain of Lakes including Lake Carlos, Lake Victoria, and Lake Darling for additional water recreation, Lake Carlos State Park with 1,214 acres of camping, hiking, swimming, and biking just 10 miles north, and Glacial Lakes State Park for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The area offers exceptional attractions including Carlos Creek Winery voted Minnesota's Best Winery with year-round tastings and the popular fall Grape Stomp festival, 22 Northmen Brewing Company and Copper Trail Brewing with craft beers in a modern downtown taproom, Casey's Amusement Park with go-karts and waterslides, the 55-mile Central Lakes Trail for biking, Country Blossom Farm with apple orchards and pumpkin patches, and unique shopping and dining throughout historic downtown Alexandria
This beautifully handcrafted laser-cut wooden topographical map of Blackwell Lake would make a charming addition to your Alexandria-area lake home, cabin, or office, celebrating your connection to this pioneer-heritage gem named for George Blackwell who settled here in 1868. The artistic design features a natural wood top layer of maple or birch that perfectly frames the lake's 307-acre shape and five miles of shoreline detail, while the water depths are represented through a captivating gradient flowing from light blue in the shallow 10-foot average areas to rich deeper blue at the 42-foot maximum depth. Every bay, depth contour, the public boat launch location, and distinctive feature is precisely laser-etched into the multi-layered wood construction, creating a three-dimensional piece of wall art that beautifully captures the excellent water clarity and abundant largemouth bass fishing heritage of this beloved Douglas County lake just minutes from Big Ole Viking and the heart of Minnesota's lakes country
Dimensions:
Small: 8"x12"
Medium: 12"x18"
Large: 16"x24"
Extra Large: 20"x30"
XX Large: 24"x36"
Gigantic 30"x45"
HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers
HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers
HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers
The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail.
Cribbage Boards - 10"x14" - Your choice of Maple or Cherry wood, 2 or 3 runs, and your choice of peg colors.
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About our Maps
Every map is designed and built in Minnesota. Nothing is outsourced and nothing is imported.
- Designed in-house. All art files are created by me, not purchased or reused
- True layered 3D construction. Not engraved or printed
- More layers, more detail. Most competitors use 3 to 7 layers. These use 8 or 15 layers
- Original blue depth gradient. Light to dark blue shows water depth clearly
- Handmade hardwood frames. Built from locally sourced rough sawn lumber, not pre-made frames
These are built to be the most accurate and most detailed 3D lake maps available.
Horn Dog Maps vs Others
True layered 3D construction
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: Sometimes
Designed in-house (no purchased files)
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No
Made in Minnesota
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Number of layers
Horn Dog Maps: 8 or 15
Other Companies: 3 to 7
Etsy Sellers: 3 to 7
Blue depth gradient water
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Handmade hardwood frame included
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Uses multiple depth data sources
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No
Custom lakes without delays
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Connection to the lakes
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these actually 3D or just engraved?
These are true 3D layered maps.
- Made from 1/8 inch Baltic birch
- Standard maps have 8 layers. 1 land layer and 7 water layers
- HD maps have 15 layers. 1 land layer and 14 water layers
Each water layer uses a light to dark blue gradient so depth changes are easy to see.
Where are these made?
Everything is made in my shop in Minnesota.
- Design
- Cutting
- Painting
- Assembly
- Frame building
The frames start as locally sourced rough sawn hardwood and are built from scratch.
Do you use real depth data?
Yes, as an angler and map nerd, accuracy matters to me. I use multiple data sources, up to six, to find the most accurate lake contours available.
I would not hang an inaccurate map in my house and I will not send one to yours.
Why buy from Horn Dog Maps instead of Etsy or marketplace sellers?
Most marketplace sellers:
- Buy pre-made cut files, often from overseas
- Have no connection to the lakes
- Cannot verify accuracy
- Have long delays if a file is not available
This leads to lower accuracy and longer lead times, often 6 to 8 weeks.
Because I design everything myself:
- I can create a new lake mockup in about 30 minutes
- You get a more accurate map, faster
What is your lead time?
Most orders ship in 1.5 to 2 weeks depending on the time of year.
Tell me about the Cribbage Boards
These are different from the layered maps and are not something you will find elsewhere.
- Made from a solid piece of Maple or Cherry
- The lake is engraved as if drained
- Then filled with blue tinted epoxy that is still transparent
You can see:
- Channels
- Humps
- Points
- Structure
Additional features:
- 2 or 3 track options
- Choice of peg colors
- Hidden peg storage with a magnetic dovetail slider
- Rubber feet so it does not slide on the table
It is a functional game board and a detailed lake model in one.