2017 Map of Ibex Butte

About this map

Ibex Butte and Ann Butte dominate this section of the high desert in Crook County, where the landscape is defined by its scarce but essential water resources. This 2017 survey reveals a system of artificial water management designed to support cattle ranching in an arid environment, characterized by a series of numbered catchments including Twelvemile Reservoir Number One, Twelvemile Reservoir Number Two, and Twelvemile Reservoir Number Three. These named reservoirs, alongside features like Santry Waterhole and Mills Waterhole, indicate the critical role of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and local ranchers in maintaining life across the sagebrush-covered hills. Sparse transportation routes, such as S Buck Creek Rd, provide the only access through this terrain, connecting isolated peaks like Kid Peak and the long elevation of Willow Ridge.