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1956 Map of Cooney Reservoir

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Cooney Reservoir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Cooney Reservoir dominates this mid-century landscape at the border of Stillwater and Carbon counties, serving as a primary water source for the surrounding agricultural network. The complex irrigation system is evident through numerous waterways like Rooney DITCH, Highline Ditch, and De Vries Ditch, which redirect flow from the major drainages of Red Lodge Creek and Rock Creek. This infrastructure supported a dispersed ranching community connected by rural schools such as Wilson Sch and the Upper Cottonwood School.

In the southeastern corner, the Northern Pacific railroad corridor passes through the small settlement of Selmes, providing a vital link for local goods. The terrain rises toward Shane Ridge in the north, while prominent local landmarks like Church Hill and various Gravel Pits reflect the integration of domestic life and local industry. This survey captures a moment of established water management and rail-dependent commerce in south-central Montana.