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2011 Map of Cow Island

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

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Missouri River water levels and shoreline features are documented here along the northern plains of Montana. The landscape is defined by the winding course of the river, which snakes around the prominent Cow Island, a key navigational landmark in this reach. The map captures a transition from the river bottom to the high breaks and ridges that overlook the valley, providing a detailed record of the drainage patterns from Cow Creek and its many tributaries including Squaw Creek.

Human presence in this sparse territory is limited to isolated points of interest like the Kip Homestead and Sixty Dam. For researchers, the map traces the path of Spencer Ridge Rd across the high ground, offering insight into the limited infrastructure and land use in the Hays District at the start of the 21st century. The map also records several intermittent waterways such as Bull Creek and Cabin Creek as they descend toward the Missouri.