2024 Map of Nilan Reservoir

About this map

Blackfoot Valley Conservation Area dominates the northern reaches of this Lewis and Clark County terrain, where the foothills meet the irrigation infrastructure of the eastern Rockies. Central to this landscape is Nilan Reservoir, a significant water body situated north of Haystack Butte, the area's most prominent topographic landmark. The drainage patterns are defined by a network of seasonal and perennial streams including Ford Creek, Smith Creek, and Willow Creek, which navigate the varying elevations of the Rocky Mountain Front. Small basins like Anderson Lake and Smith Lake punctuate the landscape, while access is maintained through rural routes such as Benchmark Rd and Swallow Canyon Rd. This survey documents a contemporary balance of conservation lands and water management in a region characterized by its high-altitude valleys and significant creek systems.