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2014 Map of Carter Coulee

Name: 2014 Topographic Map of Carter Coulee
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2014
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2014

About this map

The Missouri River carves a winding path through this central Montana landscape, marking the boundary between Phillips and Fergus counties. Extensive bottomlands such as Doney Bottoms, White Bottoms, and Mauland Bottoms line the river's course, indicating the vital importance of the riparian corridor to the local ecology and ranching history. High points and drainage features like Siparyann Ridge and Pugh Coulee define the north, while Button Butte stands as a prominent landmark at the southern edge near Jakes Reservoir.

A network of historic paths, including the Sand Creek Trl, Wilder Trl, and the Musselshell Trl, traverse the terrain, suggesting long-standing travel routes through the coulees and across the ridges. These trails, along with the Auto Tour Rte near the river, highlight the area's transition from early transport routes to modern recreational and ranching use. The map also identifies family-named features like Mc Farland Bench and Smoky Johnson Hill, preserving the genealogical legacy of the homesteading families who settled this region.