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2014 Map of Emerick Bench

Name: 2014 Topographic Map of Emerick Bench
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2014
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2014

About this map

Emerick Bench and the surrounding high plains of Phillips County define this portion of North Central Montana. The landscape is deeply etched by a network of seasonal drainages, including Reservoir Coulee, Coburg Coulee, and Joiner Coulee, which channel water toward Woody Island Cr and Cottonwood Cr. These coulees are characteristic of the region's erosional patterns, creating a complex series of ridges and draws that historically dictated the movement of livestock and the placement of early ranching infrastructure.

Water management is central to this arid environment, evidenced by the presence of the Blue Stem Reservoir. Human presence is sparse, marked primarily by the path of Black Coulee Rd and the prominent landmark of Haystack Butte to the northeast. The survey provides a clear view of the Public Land Survey System divisions, from T35N R27E down to T33N R27E, showing how the vast territory was organized for settlement and grazing.