2017 Map of Montour

About this map

Montour Valley and the surrounding agricultural bottomlands are the focal point of this 2017 survey of the Gem County interior. The landscape is defined by the winding Payette River and its entry into the Black Canyon Reservoir, where several drainage systems converge near the Sweet Valley settlement. Local history is anchored by the community of Sweet, with its nearby Sweet Cem, and the historic site of Montour. These settlements lie along the transition between the river flats and the rising elevations of South Mtn. The rugged south-central terrain is deeply incised by a series of geographic landmarks, including Stagecoach Canyon, Baltic Canyon, and Arkansas Canyon, which reflect the area's difficult topography and long-established travel routes. The presence of Roystone Hot Springs north of Squaw Creek further highlights the distinct geothermal character of this river-cut corridor.