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1972 Map of Otter

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Otter
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Custer National Forest dominates this section of Powder River County, where the settlement of Otter serves as a lone hub in a landscape defined by drainage networks and livestock management. This 1972 field-checked survey reveals a sophisticated water conservation system in a semi-arid region, evidenced by numerous named catchments like Lost Creek Reservoir, Happy Coulee Reservoir, and Rocky Draw Reservoir. These features, often paired with isolated wells and drill holes, illustrate the infrastructure required for ranching within the national forest boundaries.

Transportation is limited to a sparse network of primary roads and numerous Jeep Trails that navigate the draws and divides. The geography is carved by significant waterways including Otter Creek and its many tributaries such as Tooley Creek and Lost Creek. Several Gravel Pits are scattered throughout, suggesting local material extraction for road maintenance in this rugged southeastern Montana terrain.