2017 Map of Austin Lake

About this map

Austin Lake and the surrounding high plains of Phillips County are characterized by a sparse, water-dependent geography managed through scattered reservoirs and springs. This 2017 survey details a landscape where seasonal drainage and land management are paramount, as evidenced by the namesake Austin Spring and man-made catchments like Plum Reservoir and Adair Reservoir. The terrain is etched by deep drainage channels such as Lush Coulee and Butte Coulee, which dictate the placement of the few thoroughfares. A minimal road network, consisting of Whitewater Rd, Milk River Rd, and the uniquely named Loring Cutacross Rd, provides the only connection between these remote ranchlands and the broader region. The township and range lines of the Public Land Survey System overlay this territory, highlighting the structured division of this expansive Montana environment.