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2017 Map of McWilliams Springs

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of McWilliams Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

McWilliams Springs and Taylor Spring anchor this high-plains landscape in Garfield County, where the relief is defined by a complex network of coulees and ridges. The topography is dominated by Black Butte, a prominent landmark situated just south of the junction of several drainages. The naming of features like McWilliams Coulee, Seider Coulee, and Atkins Coulee suggests the early influence of ranching families and homesteaders who utilized these specific corridors for shelter and water access in a largely arid environment.

Water management is evident through the named springs and seasonal drainages such as Calf Cr and Skeleton Cr. The southern portion of the quadrangle includes the distinctive Gumbo Ridge and Studhorse Coulee, reflecting the local soil composition and the legacy of the open range. This modern topographic survey provides a detailed look at the drainage patterns and landforms that have dictated human activity in this part of Montana for over a century.