2011 Map of Blue Buttes

About this map

Chimney Butte and Table Butte rise from the McKenzie County landscape, defining a region where cattle ranching and energy extraction share the same soil. In this 2011 depiction, the distribution of industrial landmarks like the Antelope Oil Field and the Blue Buttes Oil and Gas Field indicates the continuing importance of the Williston Basin's resources. The map captures a transition between traditional family landholdings, such as Keogh Ranch and Van Dyke Ranch, and the modern infrastructure required for resource management. Local connectivity is maintained through County Hwy 1806 and BIA Route 27, while the presence of the Redeemer Cemetery and the remote Keogh Landing Strip highlights the sparse but established nature of these rural communities. Water features like Sand Creek and the North Fork Clark Creek wind through the breaks and buttes, providing vital drainage in this semi-arid terrain.