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2020 Map of Lelig Coulee

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Lelig Coulee
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Lelig Coulee defines the drainage pattern of this high-plains landscape in Garfield County, where the intricate network of coulees reveals a territory deeply shaped by erosion. The distribution of water is a central theme, anchored by Ezekial Reservoir and Split Reservoir, which suggest the agricultural or ranching adaptations required in this semi-arid region. These named drainages, including North Wilson Coulee and Lower Newhouse Coulee, often carry family names, offering potential geographic anchors for genealogists studying the historical homesteading patterns of eastern Montana.

The presence of Sandage Buttes and its adjacent Sandage Coulee provides topographic contrast to the surrounding creek beds. Navigational infrastructure is minimal, centered primarily on the S Fork Rd, which follows the path of the S Fork Lodgepole Cr. This 2020 survey documents the enduring character of the Big Sky country, where large-scale land management units like t17n r30e and t16n r31e partition the expansive terrain into a grid of remote ranchland.