2011 Map of Horseshoe Lake

About this map

Sumner anchors this portion of Phillips County, where the high plains landscape is defined by the drainage patterns of intermittent coulees. The map illustrates a rural environment shaped by water management and natural hydrology, notably at Lang Corners Dam in the southern reaches and the namesake Horseshoe Lake to the east. These features, along with Cowie Coulee and Gloyn Coulee, reveal the essential role of water catchment in this arid region. The road network is sparse, with Sunny Slope Rd being one of the few named arteries connecting the isolated settlement of Sumner to the surrounding terrain. This survey provides a clear look at the late-20th and early-21st-century land use in Northern Montana, focusing on the subtle topographical variations and the small-scale infrastructure like Little Cottonwood Creek that supports the local ranching or agricultural economy.