2011 Map of Lightning Butte

About this map

Lightning Butte and its surrounding rangeland define this corner of Powder River County in the early 21st century. The landscape is marked by a complex system of water management and ephemeral drainage, essential for life in this arid section of Montana. Notable infrastructure includes the Vanettes Dam and Shipley Reservoir Dam, which capture runoff in an area where Pilgrim Creek and Lightning Creek carve through the terrain. Evidence of earlier public works or grazing history appears at the CCC Reservoir, while localized landmarks like Buffalo Butte and Shipley Butte provide the primary navigational points. The map details a network of unpaved access points such as Moore Rd and Moore Cutoff Rd, which connect the isolated draws and coulees, including West Ainsworth Coulee and East Ainsworth Coulee, used for movement across the open prairie.