1984 Map of Jones Coulee

About this map

Windy Ridge and the complex drainage systems of Valley County define this 1980s landscape, where water management is central to the terrain's utility. The area is marked by a series of small-scale impoundments including Erie Reservoir, Swift Reservoir, York Reservoir, and Bud Reservoir, likely serving as critical stock water sources for local ranching operations. The topography is shaped by numerous intermittent coulees, such as Norwegian Coulee, Jones Coulee, and Sheepherders Coulee, which channel seasonal runoff toward the more prominent Rock Creek and its associated Rock Creek Canyon. The prevalence of named coulees and small reservoirs reflects a landscape meticulously adapted for agricultural endurance in the semi-arid northern plains. Traces of human engineering are further evidenced by Levees along Papoose Creek, protecting lower-lying ground from the unpredictable surges of prairie watercourses.