2014 Map of Kirkendal Flat

About this map

Kirkendal Flat and the surrounding rangeland of Petroleum County define this landscape of high ridges and deep drainage channels. The area is characterized by a series of prominent coulees, including Gordon Coulee, Gibbs Coulee, and Kastner Coulee, which cut through the terrain toward more significant water bodies. These seasonal and perennial flows, such as Dovetail Cr and Blood Cr, follow the natural contours of the land, illustrating the complex hydrologic network of the Missouri River basin. Modern infrastructure is minimal in this portion of the Montana plains, represented primarily by the 79 Trl route. The map documents the vastness of Dunn Ridge, a topographical anchor that separates the various coulee systems, providing a clear picture of the land's structural geology and natural drainage patterns near the start of the 21st century.