2012 Map of Mud Buttes

About this map

Mud Buttes rise above a landscape defined by an extensive network of drainages and ranching outposts in Butte County. This western South Dakota terrain is shaped by the presence of large-scale water management, most notably the northwestern reaches of the Belle Fourche Reservoir and the Guidinger Reservoir. The map documents a traditional ranching economy, identifying several specific family operations such as the Beale Ranch, Jones Ranch, and Hanley Ranch. Transportation follows the contours of the land and established property lines, with routes like Old HWY 85 and Camp Crook RD providing the primary arteries through the drainage basins. A dense system of seasonal and perennial waterways, including Owl Cr, Bitter Cr, and Wildcat Cr, crisscross the territory, illustrating the hydraulic complexity of this semi-arid region during the early 21st century.