2014 Map of Fish Lake

About this map

The eastern front of the Rockies meets the high plains at the border of Pondera and Teton counties, where the Lewis & Clark National Forest encompasses a landscape defined by significant water management and complex drainages. Central to this topography is the Swift Reservoir, which captures the flow of Birch Cr as it emerges from the higher elevations near Split Mtn. The surrounding area is dotted with numerous small water bodies, including Fish Lake, Cody Lake, and the cluster of Waddel Lakes. Primitive and secondary routes like Heart Butte Rd and Swift Dam Rd provide the primary access through this sparsely settled territory, which also features the smaller Tedson Reservoir to the east. This 2014 survey documents the hydrographic network essential for irrigation and conservation in this part of Montana.