1980 Map of Cactus Creek West

About this map

The Little Missouri River carves a winding path through this southeastern corner of Montana, creating a complex network of oxbows and meanders in the lower reaches of the quadrangle. This 1980 study, based on 1970s aerial photography, reveals a landscape defined by its drainages, where seasonal watercourses like Cottonwood Creek and Cactus Creek feed into the river system. The presence of a noted Ford across the main channel indicates a point of transit in an area otherwise dominated by the natural topography of the river valley. Further south, the map tracks the headwaters of Elkhorn Creek and Blacktail Creek, showcasing the transition from upland terrain to the river basin. The map preserves the precise section lines and township boundaries of T 5 S, T 6 S, and T 7 S, providing a foundational record of land division in Carter County during the late twentieth century.