1985 Map of Pipes Coulee

About this map

The Sacagawea River winds through this central Montana landscape, defining a terrain shaped by deep drainage systems and high plateaus. This 1985 provisional survey of Fergus County captures a remote region where water is the primary architect of the geography, evidenced by the many branching coulees that feed into the river system. Notable watercourses include Pipes Coulee, Hay Coulee, and Schoneke Coulee, which cut through the dry hills. A historical point of transit, Cottonwood Crossing, appears along the river's path, marking a rare fixed point of reference in an area otherwise dominated by the natural features of Antelope Creek and Crooked Creek. This map is particularly valuable for understanding the hydrology of the plains and identifying traditional crossings used before modern infrastructure altered local travel patterns.