2014 Map of Cole

About this map

Cole sits at the heart of this Phillips County landscape, situated along the winding course of the Milk River. The area's agricultural character is defined by the sophisticated water management of the Nelson South Canal and Nelson S Canal, which draw from the river to support the surrounding plains. The terrain is deeply etched by water, from the namesake Cole Ponds and Carter Lake to numerous named springs like Busche Spring and Zenor Spring. To the north and south, the geography transitions into drainage features such as Hymer Coulee and Little Coulee, while the oddly named Stinky Cr and Dry Stinky Cr contribute to the local hydrography. This 2014 survey documents the persistence of small rural settlements and their reliance on the complex network of canals and natural waterways that have shaped this portion of Northern Montana for generations.