2024 Map of Bean Lake

About this map

The Dearborn River winds through this Montana landscape, where the high plains meet the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains. The terrain is defined by a complex system of water management and ranching operations, including the Dearborn Canal, Carmichael Ditch, and Cuniff Ditch, which redirect water across the arid basins. These engineering efforts support long-standing local holdings such as Gouchnour Ranch and Krone Ranch. To the southwest, the topography rises sharply into the Lewis & Clark National Forest, characterized by steep features like Harrison Basin Ridge and the Connors Reef. The presence of numerous coulees, such as Hay Coulee, and named basins like Joslin Basin illustrates the drainage patterns that flow toward Bean Lake and the various creek systems that have shaped the local grazing and agricultural history.