Loading map...

2024 Map of Karsten Coulee

Name: 2024 Topographic Map of Karsten Coulee
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2024
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2024

About this map

Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge dominates the southwestern quadrant of this landscape, a region defined by intricate drainage patterns and expansive protected lands. The terrain is marked by the eponymous Karsten Coulee and the broad, open expanse of Cruikshank Flat to the north. These features reflect the characteristic geology of central Montana, where seasonal watercourses like Fourchette Creek and Beauchamp Creek have carved deep networks into the plateau.

Conservation history is central to this map, which captures the intersection of the UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge and the UL Bend Wilderness along its southern margin. The lack of established settlements and the reliance on primitive routes like Midale Rd emphasize the area's role as a sanctuary for wildlife and a study in undisturbed prairie ecosystems. For researchers, the map provides a clear record of land management boundaries and the preservation of natural drainages like Camp Creek and Dam Coulee.