2024 Map of Council Island

About this map

The Missouri Wild and Scenic River carves a winding path through this central Montana landscape, where the borders of Fergus, Chouteau, and Blaine counties converge. This map documents a protected corridor within the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, characterized by intricate drainages like Dog Creek and the southern Seventy Nine Coulee. Navigation and river geography are primary themes here, with the presence of Holmes Rapids and McKeever Rapids indicating the natural, unhindered flow of the river as it was experienced by early travelers. Prominent river features such as Council Island, the Holmes Council Islands, and Iron City Islands serve as fixed points in an otherwise fluid environment. Upland, the topography transitions to high plateaus accessed by remote routes like Whiskey Ridge Rd and Pn Bridge Rd, reflecting the sparse ranching and conservation character of the modern era.