2017 Map of Little Bear Lake

About this map

Little Bear Lake serves as a focal point in this high plains landscape of Petroleum County, where the topography transitions into the sweeping expanse of Paradise Valley. The area's agricultural heritage is etched into the terrain by the Winnett Irrigation County Ditch, a vital piece of water management infrastructure that cuts across the western sections. Evidence of long-standing local transit is found in the east-west passage of Cemetery Rd, which traverses several seasonal drainages including Buffalo Cr and Dry Cr. To the south, the terrain becomes more incised at Whites Coulee near the banks of McDonald Cr. This 2017 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey documents the enduring ranching and irrigation patterns that have defined this portion of Montana for generations, providing a clear record of the intersection between natural waterways and human engineering.