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2011 Map of Cliff Lake

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Cliff Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

The Madison River valley and its surrounding high benches define this landscape in southwestern Montana. The map documents a corridor of recreation and ranching along the water, where family-named locations like Schusters Place and Grahams Place dot the terrain. Significant glacial lakes dominate the central topography, notably Cliff Lake and the elongated Wade Lake, which are bordered by several campgrounds and Elliots Resort. The arrangement of these sites suggests a legacy of outdoor sporting life and high-country ranching.

Industrial and agricultural use is evident at Wickadahl Ranch, while the surrounding geography is carved by deep gullies such as Jackpine Gulch and Well Gulch. Notable topographic features like Cliff Lake Bench and Missouri Flats provide a clear view of the benchland formations that separate the river forks. These details, combined with the presence of Madison River Lodge and Neelys Camp, provide a record of local land tenure and seasonal habitation in Madison County.