2011 Map of Flaherty Coulee

About this map

Flaherty Coulee defines the drainage patterns of this rural landscape along the Montana-Saskatchewan border in Daniels County. The terrain is characterized by the meandering courses of Coal Creek in the north and Butte Creek to the south, which slice through the high plains. This 2011 survey by the U. S. Geological Survey captures a sparsely settled agricultural and ranching region where the rectangular grid of local roads provides the primary structure for movement across the open country. The map illustrates a transitional environment where seasonal watercourses have carved distinct coulees into the northern plains, reflecting the subtle but vital hydrology of this borderland area during the early 21st century.