2017 Map of Karsten Coulee

About this map

Cruikshank Flat sits at the heart of this high-plains landscape, where the seasonal hydrology of Phillips County is clearly defined. The terrain is marked by a series of significant drainages, including the headwaters of Dry Fork Cr and the winding course of Fourchette Cr to the east. The map illustrates a complex network of coulees that provide natural drainage across the varying elevations, most notably North Coulee, Dam Coulee, and the namesake Karsten Coulee at the southern edge of the survey. The movement of water through Beauchamp Cr and Camp Cr reveals the natural topography that shaped early cattle ranching and land use in this part of Montana. Human presence is represented primarily by Midale Rd, which traverses the eastern sections, and the established township and range boundaries that partitioned the territory into large grazing tracts.