2020 Map of Becker Dam

About this map

The Big Sheep Mountains dominate this portion of Prairie County, where the landscape is defined by a network of drainage channels and high-plateau roads. Water management is central to the area's geography, evidenced by Becker Dam and Ban Reservoir Number 1, which capture runoff in an otherwise arid environment. The map shows a transition from the elevated peaks in the west toward the broken terrain of Timber Coulee and Smith Coulee to the southeast. Transport across these uplands relies on a series of historical thoroughfares including Cedar Creek Rd and the aptly named Bad Route Rd. These routes follow the natural topography, tracing the ridges and valleys carved by Cedar Cr and the E Fork Cedar Cr. This 2020 survey provides a clear view of the modern land divisions and water infrastructure in this remote Montana ranching corridor.