1970 Map of Nilan Reservoir

About this map

The waters of Nilan Reservoir and Smith Lake dominate this high-plains landscape, where the prairie meets the rising foothills of Lewis and Clark County. This 1970s record shows a region defined by ranching and water management, centered on the L F Ranch and a network of named waterways including Willow Creek and Smith Creek. The terrain transitions sharply from the reservoir flats to the prominent elevation of Haystack Butte, while Swallow Canyon carves through the eastern portion of the sheet. For the researcher, the map preserves the exact locations of several seasonal Springs and multiple Gravel Pit sites, reflecting the local infrastructure requirements of the era. The presence of a Jeep Trail and a designated Picnic Area at the reservoir suggests the dual nature of the land as both working range and a destination for outdoor recreation during the early 1970s.