1965 Map of Needle Butte Reservoir

About this map

East Fork Little Porcupine Creek and its many winding coulees define this section of the Montana landscape, captured here in the mid-1960s. The terrain is a network of ridges and drainages, marked by prominent landmarks such as The Big Hill, Montgomery Hill, and the triplet peaks of Three Buttes. This period shows a localized water management system essential for ranching, featuring the Le Poidevin Dam, Round Butte Reservoir, and the namesake Needle Butte Reservoir along the eastern edge. Settlement is sparse, represented by isolated sites like Wells and Stromset, which reflect the vast distances and specialized land use common across the Garfield and Rosebud County line. A single Grave sits near the western border, offering a quiet, specific point of interest for genealogists tracing early inhabitants of this rangeland.