2011 Map of Pea Ridge

About this map

Pea Ridge serves as the central topographic focal point of this Phillips County landscape, characterized by an intricate network of seasonal drainages and water management features. The local geography is defined by numerous coulees, such as Horse Pasture Coulee and Clayton Coulee, which channel runoff into the North Fork Fourchette Creek system. This 2011 survey illustrates the importance of water storage in this arid region of Montana, documenting several man-made catchments including Siwash Reservoir, Shale Reservoir, and the Pea Ridge Number 1 Dam. The naming conventions found on the map, such as Fish Fossil Reservoir and Hardpan Coulee, provide insight into the geological and paleontological interests of the area. Ranching and land management are evident through the network of local roads that navigate around Hawley Creek and the various ridges that define the watershed boundaries of the Fourchette Creek drainage basin.