2017 Map of Black John Coulee

About this map

Big Dry Creek and its southern tributary, Langs Fork, define the drainage patterns across this Garfield County landscape. The terrain is characterized by a series of named coulees, including Black John Coulee and Russian Coulee, which highlight the complex erosion patterns typical of this part of Montana. These features provide a clear view of the local topography as it was managed under the Public Land Survey System, with township and range lines such as t18n r39e and t19n r40e providing the structural grid for land ownership and administration. The map illustrates how natural drainages like Nelson Coulee and Allen Coulee intersect with the primary watercourses, creating a detailed network of seasonal flow and relief that has historically dictated land use and livestock movement in this expansive ranching country.