2020 Map of Leiberg Coulee

About this map

Merino Bench dominates the southern landscape of this central Montana survey, overlooking a network of deep drainage channels and perennial water sources. The terrain is defined by its significant coulees, including Big Coulee in the northeast and the centrally located Leiberg Coulee. Water distribution across this arid environment is marked by numerous identified springs, such as 18N11E21AA__01 Spring and 17N11E12AB__01 Spring, which likely served as vital hubs for local ranching operations. The area is intersected by early ranch-to-market routes like Spencer Rd and Sourdough Rd, which follow the natural contours of the land between the high benches and creek beds. These drainage systems, primarily Arrow Cr and its tributaries like Davis Cr and Braun Cr, illustrate the complex erosion patterns typical of the Judith Basin, where water has carved deep into the limestone and sandstone layers of the plains.