2011 Map of Cowan Reservoir

About this map

Cowan Reservoir and its namesake dam anchor this high-plains landscape in Hill County, where managed water resources define the local geography. The area is characterized by an extensive network of small-scale dams and catchments, including Ugly Dam, Peehole Dam, and Brown Dam, illustrating the vital importance of water storage for ranching and agriculture in north-central Montana. The terrain is marked by distinctive geological features such as Square Butte and the winding Sand Coulee, which cuts through the northern portion of the quadrangle. Several ephemeral and perennial waterways, most notably Big Sandy Creek and Boxelder Creek, traverse the land, joined by local routes like Sangreys School Rd and Boneau Rd that connect the dispersed rural properties across this arid prairie environment.