1983 Map of Circle Reservoir

About this map

Sullivan Creek and Alkali Creek carve through this eastern Montana landscape, reflecting the intricate drainage patterns of the high plains in Dawson County. The central feature is Circle Reservoir, an essential water resource for this arid ranching and farming region. The map reveals the stark topography of the area, defined by the confluence of Pasture Creek and its distinctive East Fork and West Fork branches. These watercourses dictate the layout of unimproved roads and trails across the terrain, illustrating the remote and functional nature of the land use in the early 1980s. This survey, based on 1970s aerial photography and 1983 field checks, preserves the exact footprint of water management and local drainage before modern agricultural shifts.