1985 Map of Dovetail Butte

About this map

The Sacagawea River winds through this arid Montana landscape on the border of Fergus and Petroleum Counties. This 1985 survey captures a terrain defined by an intricate network of erosional drainages, including Wolf Coulee and Whisker Coulee, which carve through the high plains toward the river valley. The topography is dominated by the prominent landmark of Dovetail Butte in the southeast and the strategic Chimney Crossing to the west. While no major towns are shown, the nomenclature of the landscape—with names like Rasmussen Coulee, Pickerd Coulee, and Connoly Coulee—suggests the deep influence of early ranching families and homesteaders on the local geography. The map provides a detailed look at the drainage patterns of the Missouri River basin before late-century changes in land use and ranching practices.