2020 Map of Hilger NW

About this map

Cottonwood Spring serves as a vital water source in this dry section of central Montana, where the drainage patterns of the Salt Creek watershed dominate the landscape. The intricate network of the W Fork Salt Cr, Middle Fork Salt Cr, and E Fork Salt Cr illustrates the erosive power of water across the Fergus County plains. These seasonal waterways converge as they move north, cutting through the terrain and creating distinct landmarks like Freeze Out Coulee in the southeast. While the region remains largely open ranch land, the network of local roads such as Balky Horse Rd, Thrill Hills Rd, and Christina W indicates the sparse but persistent human footprint on the land. The mapping, coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey, reflects the modern rural infrastructure within the Public Land Survey System townships of T19N and T20N.