2024 Map of Porcupine Butte

About this map

Porcupine Butte dominates the central landscape of this Montana survey, providing a prominent landmark at the intersection of Wheatland Co and Sweet Grass County. The map reveals a complex system of hydraulic engineering designed to manage water in the arid foothills, with numerous irrigation features such as Tronrud Ditch, Johnson Ditch, and Hart-Parker Ditch diverting flow from major drainages. Sweet Grass Creek meanders across the southern portion of the quadrangle, while American Fork and Agnes Creek define the northern drainages. The human footprint is marked by a network of ranch and access roads including Porcupine Butte Rd and Melville Rd, illustrating the intersection of large-scale cattle ranching and modern water management. The land is precisely divided by township and range lines, showing the enduring influence of the Public Land Survey System on the development of this rural ranching country.