1985 Map of Collins Reservoir

About this map

Willow Creek and the South Fork Little Beaver Creek define this landscape in Valley County, where water management is the primary marker of human presence. The terrain is characterized by an extensive system of detention basins and small reservoirs designed to catch runoff in this semi-arid region. From the humorously named Your Name Reservoir and Mosquito Reservoir to the more literal Short Creek Detention Reservoir, these features reveal the engineering efforts required to support ranching operations like the Collins Ranch. Narrow coulees such as White Rock Coulee and Corral Coulee segment the area, illustrating the natural drainage patterns that dictate the placement of improvements like the Corral Junction No 2 Detention Reservoir. This 1980s-era topography provides a detailed view of how localized water control shaped the practical geography of northeastern Montana.