2020 Map of Nilan Reservoir

About this map

Nilan Reservoir and the surrounding high country of Lewis and Clark County define this landscape, where the plains of Central Montana meet the front range. The topography is dominated by the prominent elevation of Haystack Butte and the carved depths of Swallow Canyon to the southeast. Water management and drainage patterns are central to the area's character, with Willow Cr feeding the primary reservoir while smaller bodies like Anderson Lake and Smith Lake dot the terrain. Access through this region follows a network of primitive corridors, including Smith Creek Rd, Goss Creek Rd, and Lf Ranch Rd, which navigate the various creeks such as Ford Cr and Blubber Cr. This modern survey reflects the persistent ranching and watershed infrastructure that sustains this portion of the Montana landscape.