2011 Map of Gilman

About this map

Gilman sits at the heart of an intricate water management system in Lewis and Clark County, where the high plains meet the intricate hydraulics of the early 21st century. The landscape is defined by the heavy engineering of the Sun River Slope Canal and the Floweree Canal, which draw from the Sun River to support the local agricultural economy. This network of man-made waterways, including the Lytle Clemons Ditch, weaves around natural features like Gilman Hill and Meyer Hill, illustrating the complex relationship between the area's arid geography and its irrigation needs. To the south and east, the natural drainage of Elk Creek and Spring Creek contrasts with the straight-line precision of the gridded road system, while Basin Lake and Meyer Lake provide essential landmarks in this open ranching country. The presence of Hogan Slough and multiple coulees, such as Maloney Coulee, further emphasizes the specialized drainage patterns unique to this part of Montana.