2017 Map of Nilan Reservoir

About this map

Nilan Reservoir and the adjacent mountain front in Lewis and Clark County define this 2017 landscape. This section of the Rocky Mountain front shows a transition from high-plains water management to steep alpine terrain, anchored by the prominent Haystack Butte and the narrow passage of Swallow Canyon. The drainage network is dense and complex, with Smith Cr, Willow Cr, and Ford Cr carving through the foothills toward the reservoir. Local ranching access is evidenced by the presence of Lf Ranch Rd and Benchmark Rd, which follow the natural contours of the land. Further south, Smith Lake and the winding course of Goss Cr illustrate the vital water resources that have shaped land use in this part of Montana for generations.