2011 Map of Belle Prairie

About this map

Belle Prairie occupies the central portion of this Montana landscape, where the drainage patterns of Dawson County define the settlement's character. The northwestern corner is clipped by the winding Yellowstone River, which receives seasonal runoff from local coulees including Wards Coulee and Coal Coulee. This area is heavily influenced by its water-carved topography, with the dendritic network of Serrine Creek and Shryne Creek branching across the eastern plains. These watercourses were vital to the early agricultural development of the region, providing the necessary drainage and occasional water sources for the cattle and grain operations that sustain this part of the state. Infrastructure is sparse, marked primarily by rural routes such as Belle Prairie Rd and specialized agricultural features like the Arthur Number 1 Dam, which manages local runoff in the southern reaches near Griffith Creek.