1984 Map of Gay Dam

About this map

Gay Dam serves as a focal point for this 1984 survey of the central Montana plains in Valley County. The landscape is defined by an intricate network of drainage systems, notably Willow Creek and its tributary, West Fork Willow Creek, which cut through the terrain. The presence of irrigation and water management infrastructure, evidenced by the named dam, illustrates the region's reliance on localized water control for ranching and land use. Minor waterways like Chisholm Creek and the southern Bitter Creek further fragment the area, while names like Lone Tree Coulee reflect the sparse, characteristic features of the prairie. The map provides a detailed look at the rural section corners and topographic contours of this sparsely populated ranching country during the mid-1980s.