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2017 Map of Harwood Bench

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Harwood Bench
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Harwood Bench rises above the surrounding plains of central Montana, defining the landscape where Judith Basin and Fergus counties meet. This high, flat-topped landform is dissected by deep drainage systems, most notably Scotchman Coulee and the extensive Big Sagebrush Coulee. The terrain transitions from these broad benches into more complex breaks characterized by the Indian Buttes in the southwest quadrant.

Water is scarce across this high prairie, primarily confined to seasonal flows in Indian Cr, Sage Cr, and Louse Cr. The human imprint on the land follows a geometric grid of county roads, such as Prairie View Rd and Hitchcock Rd, which serve the expansive agricultural tracts and grazing lands typical of this region's rural economy. The mapping reflects the enduring Township and Range structure, with t17n r15e and t16n r15e providing the primary spatial framework for local land ownership.