1972 Map of Papps Reservoir

About this map

Papps Reservoir and Innes Reservoir serve as central water management points in this arid stretch of Prairie County, where the landscape is defined by the complex drainage of the Cedar Creek and Brackett Creek systems. The 1972 survey shows a terrain carved by seasonal waterways like Stouts Creek and Cherry Creek, illustrating the challenges of water security in eastern Montana. Human activity is largely industrial and logistical, marked by a Gravel Pit and a network of Jeep Trails that traverse the coulees. The distribution of several Wells and a Drill Hole across the high ground suggests ongoing resource exploration or rangeland development during the early 1970s. This document offers a precise look at the rural infrastructure and hydraulic engineering required to maintain agriculture and ranching in the region's semi-arid environment.