2011 Map of Otter Creek School

About this map

Family ranches and small-scale water management define this Sweet Grass County landscape, where the drainage systems of Tenmile Creek and Otter Creek support high-plains agriculture. The map detail highlights a network of established homesteads, including the Mattice Homestead and the J McCormick Ranch in the north, showing how settlement patterns followed the creek beds and draws. Local water infrastructure is evident through features like the Papez Number 1 Dam, Papez Number 2 Dam, and Lavold Reservoir, which were essential for ranching operations in this semi-arid region. These named landmarks, alongside several gulches like Long Gulch and Lien Gulch, provide a clear picture of the land-use history and ranching legacy in Montana during the early 21st century.