2014 Map of Fort Howes

About this map

Custer National Forest spans this high-plains landscape where the Rosebud and Powder River County line divides the drainage basins of the Tongue and Powder Rivers. The terrain is defined by a series of prominent high points, most notably Stag Rock Mtn and the isolated Taylor Butte. This arid environment necessitated an extensive network of water management, evidenced by numerous named springs and livestock reservoirs. Natural water sources like Dunning Spring and Rock Job Spring appear alongside engineered catchments including Dunning Reservoir and Paget Reservoir Number Three. The drainage pattern is dictated by Otter Cr and its tributaries, which have carved deep drainages like Dry Gulch, creating a complex topography that historically supported cattle ranching and early homesteading efforts in this corner of Montana.