2014 Map of Hewitt Lake

About this map

The Milk River meanders through the heart of this North Central Montana landscape, defining the character of the Phillips County plains. Near the crossing of Highway 243, the small settlement of Cree Crossing sits at a strategic junction where the Milk River Ford Bridge facilitates travel across the water. This region is characterized by an extensive system of coulees and sloughs, including Joe Bell Coulee, Hymer Coulee, and Alkali Coulee, which drain the surrounding terrain into the central valley. Irrigation and water management are prominent features of the area's development, evidenced by the vast expanse of the Nelson Reservoir and the Nelson South Canal. These water resources, along with Hewitt Lake and McNeil Slough, provide critical habitat and support for the local agricultural economy, while roads like River Rd and Hewitt Lake Rd trace the paths of early travel along the river's winding course.