1965 Map of Dry Coulee

About this map

The Missouri River and its massive Fort Peck Reservoir dominate this 1960s landscape, where the water's edge defines the boundary between the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Range and the rugged northern breaks. The map captures a moment when land use was transitioning from traditional ranching to federal conservation management. Settled life is represented by specific family landmarks such as the McArthur Ranch, Novak Homestead, and Woods Place, providing essential touchstones for genealogists tracking early twentieth-century residents. The terrain is deeply incised by countless drainage features like Blacktail Coulee and Fisher Coulee, while man-made improvements like the Timber Pit Reservoir and Big Rock Reservoir illustrate the critical importance of water management in this semi-arid environment.