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2011 Map of Columbus West

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

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

The Yellowstone River and Stillwater River converge just south of Columbus, anchoring a landscape defined by its vital water management infrastructure. In this 2011 survey, a complex network of irrigation systems is evident, including the Merrill Columbus Ditch, White Ditch, and the extensive Columbus Water Users Association Ditch. These engineering works, along with the Kovanda Number 1 Dam, illustrate the agricultural adaptation required by the semi-arid Montana terrain.

Prominent landforms such as Bensons Bluff and Pershing Hill rise above the river valley, while numerous drainage features like Carlton Coulee and Wildcat Coulee carve the surrounding uplands. Local history is marked by established landmarks such as the Mountain View Cemetery and Firemans Point, which provide fixed points of reference for genealogists and local researchers tracing the development of this river junction community.