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1983 Map of Elm Coulee

Name: 1983 Topographic Map of Elm Coulee
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

The drainage patterns of the Missouri River plateau define this portion of Richland County as documented in the late 1970s and early 1980s. A network of seasonal waterways, including East Fork Charlie Creek, Middle Fork Charlie Creek, and Hay Creek, carves through the terrain, illustrating the hydrologic character of the eastern Montana plains. The map reveals a landscape primarily dedicated to agriculture and resource extraction, with scattered infrastructure such as Grain Bins, Tanks, and a Gravel Pit positioned throughout the quadrangle.

Evidence of rural habitation and land use is noted through specific landmarks like the Shack near the western edge and the eponymous Elm Coulee in the south. The distribution of these features reflects the settlement patterns of an era where large-scale ranching and farming operations required localized storage and maintenance points. This provisional survey provides a clear view of the area's physical geography before later developments, focusing on the essential water sources like East Fork Timber Creek that supported the local economy.