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2020 Map of Melstone NE

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

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

The Musselshell River meanders through this landscape on the border of Rosebud and Musselshell Counties, defining a narrow corridor of riparian activity amidst a rugged series of coulees. The settlement of Bascom sits in the southeast corner, anchored near the river's path and served by Bascomb Rd. This survey highlights the complex drainage system of the region, where numerous named ravines like Butts Coulee and Seventynine Coulee channel seasonal runoff toward the main river valley.

Water management is central to the area's development, evidenced by the Delphia Melstone Ditch which runs alongside the river near Gremmert Coulee. The transition between the high plains and the river breaks is marked by family and locally-named landmarks such as Orchard Coulee and Rattlesnake Coulee. This map documents a sparsely populated ranching and agricultural region, where local movement is dictated by the few crossings like that at Bridge Rd and the persistent path of Mosby Rd.