1995 Map of Phillips Butte

About this map

Custer National Forest encompasses much of this landscape in Powder River County, defined by a complex network of springs, reservoirs, and buttes that supported livestock and wildlife in this arid region. The terrain is anchored by prominent landmarks such as Phillips Butte and Diamond Butte, while the water management of the late 20th century is evident in the numerous small impoundments including Phillips Butte Reservoir, Sand Rock Reservoir, and Elk Creek Reservoir No 1. The map reveals a land utilized for grazing, where names like Mud Turtle Spring, Skull Springs, and Coal Mine Spring speak to the specific hydrology and local history of the range. Surveyed and updated through the 1990s, this sheet details the intricate drainage patterns of Elk Creek and Bloom Creek, showing how the land was partitioned and managed under federal oversight.