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2017 Map of Alder

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Alder
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Ruby Valley is defined by an intricate network of irrigation systems and narrow gulches that trace the hydraulic history of Madison County. The Ruby River meanders through the landscape, fed by a complex web of man-made waterways including the Combs Ditch Number Two, Moran Paige Ditch, and Ruby Canyon Ditch. These features reflect a legacy of water management essential for ranching and agriculture in this high-altitude terrain.

Settlement patterns center on the historic hamlet of Laurin, where the Laurin Cem sits near the winding McFadden Ditch. Further south, the Taylor Cem is located near the mouth of Alder Gulch, a site synonymous with Montana's gold mining heritage. The topography is marked by distinctive landforms like The Island and the stark depressions of Dry Hollow, while various family-named canyons such as Wilcox Canyon and Beatch Canyon cut into the rising slopes of the surrounding hills.