2011 Map of Nielsen Coulee

About this map

Poplar River and the West Fork Poplar River dominate this northeastern Montana landscape, where the meandering waterways are managed by a series of small-scale infrastructure projects. These water-control efforts, including the Christensen Number 1 Dam, Christensen Number 2 Dam, Pratt Dam, and the curiously named Below Zero Dam, suggest a cattle-ranching or agricultural economy reliant on seasonal water management. The terrain is defined by its drainages, with named coulees like Nielsen Coulee, Cabarett Coulee, and Jakes Coulee cutting through the plains toward the riverbeds. A sparse road network, featuring Lekvold Rd and 3 Corners Rd, connects the isolated features of this rural district, which remains focused on the primary river valleys and the critical access to water they provide in this arid region.