2020 Map of Fort Shaw

About this map

The Sun River corridor defines this landscape in Cascade County, where the historic settlement of Fort Shaw sits near the riverbanks. This area is a complex network of early 20th-century irrigation engineering, featuring the Greenfield S Canal, Mill Coulee Canal, and Birchmeade Canal that transformed the benches for agriculture. The terrain transitions from the alluvial floor to prominent elevations like Ashuelot Bench and the Second Bench to the north, while Rocky Reef provides a distinct geological landmark near the water. For genealogists and local historians, the Fort Shaw Cem and the small community of Ashuelot are central points of interest. The map documents how the natural coulees, such as Blackfoot Coulee, were integrated into a managed water system that supported the growth of these High Plains settlements.