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2017 Map of Dark Butte

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Dark Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

The Missouri River cuts a deep, winding course through this portion of Chouteau County, creating a dramatic break in the high plains landscape. Along its banks, distinctive topographical features like Steamboat Rock and the namesake Dark Butte rise above the river valley, serving as natural navigational markers in an area defined by wide-open spaces. In the middle of the current, Pablo Island sits near the mouth of Sheep Shed Coulee, illustrating the river's dynamic role in shaping the local geography.

Rural infrastructure is represented by a sparse network of gravel and dirt roads, including Pleasant View Rd and Sternberg Rd, which provide access to the expansive range land. These routes, along with Eagle Butte Rd and Hopp Rd, follow the section lines of the Public Land Survey System, connecting isolated homesteads and ranching operations to the broader region. Drainage patterns across the flats are marked by intermittent features such as Spring Coulee, reflecting the arid climate and the reliance of the local economy on the river's permanent water source.