2020 Map of Fishtail

About this map

Fishtail sits at the northern edge of a complex hydraulic landscape where the foothills transition into the high plateaus of southern Montana. This 2020 survey reveals an intricate network of irrigation systems, including Magee Ditch, Yates Ditch, and Phillips Ditch, which divert water from mountain-fed streams like West Rosebud Creek and Fishtail Cr to support the local ranching economy. The topography is defined by dramatic erosional features such as Box Canyon, Arney Canyon, and the prominent Nellies Twin Buttes in the southwest. The presence of numerous named ditches and creek branches like Davidson Cr and Fiddle Cr underscores the century-old reliance on water management in this arid environment. The map also delineates the Stillwater and Carbon County line, tracing the historical and political divisions that follow the natural drainage patterns of the area.