2017 Map of McDermotts Butte

About this map

McDermotts Butte stands as a prominent landmark in this 2017 study of the high desert terrain along the border of Big Horn and Washakie Counties. The landscape is defined by its complex water management system, centered around the Nowood River and several numbered irrigation sites including Bonanza Reservoir Number 1, Bonanza Reservoir Number 2, and Bonanza Reservoir Number 3. Evidence of historic settlement is preserved at the Bonanza Cem near the river, while the presence of the Avent Ditch and Upper Hanover Canal Rd highlights the long-standing importance of water infrastructure in this arid region. The map also traces established routes like the Sand Creek Trail Rd and Rattlesnake Ridge Rd, which follow the natural contours of the gulches and ridges.