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1987 Map of Golden Ridge

Name: 1987 Topographic Map of Golden Ridge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

Sun River defines the southern boundary of this high-plains landscape, where the border between Teton Co and Lewis and Clark Co follows the river's winding course. This late-twentieth-century survey reveals a sophisticated irrigation network vital to Montana's agricultural economy, dominated by the Spring Valley Canal, Floweree Canal, and Sun River Slope Canal. These man-made watercourses trace the contours above deeply incised natural drainage features like Big Coulee and Elbow Coulee.

The prominence of the Bickle Burke Ditch and numerous flumes alongside the topographic landmark of Golden Ridge underscores the engineering required to manage water in this semi-arid region. While the terrain is punctuated by small-scale industrial sites like a Gravel Pit, the land remains primarily characterized by its vast drainage coulees, including Slive Coulee and School Section Coulee, which channel runoff toward the river valley below.