Loading map...

1972 Map of Hamilton Draw

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Hamilton Draw
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The Custer National Forest landscape in southeastern Montana is defined by a dense network of draws and springs essential for cattle ranching. This early 1970s survey captures the region's ranching infrastructure, punctuated by numerous small impoundments such as Hamilton Draw Reservoir, Woodbury Reservoir, and Lee Creek Reservoir. The drainage patterns are intricate, with the North Fork and South Fork Lee Creek carving through the terrain alongside family-named landmarks like Holdbrook Draw and Davidson Draw.

A distinct character of the land emerges through specialized water features like Boyce Meadow Spring, Tooley Spring, and the curiously named Drip Hole. These water sources, combined with scattered Gravel Pit operations, illustrate the practical utility of this remote acreage. The map also records the jurisdictional boundaries where Rosebud, Powder River, and Big Horn counties meet, providing a clear snapshot of the high plains before later-century land use changes.