2020 Map of Porcupine Coulee

About this map

Split Shack Spring marks a rare water source in this high-plains landscape of Phillips County, where the terrain is defined by a complex network of seasonal drainages. The area is characterized by deeply incised features such as Prestige Coulee and Rattlesnake Coulee, which create a natural navigation system across the open range. Modern cattle ranching and land management are evident through the preservation of historic travel ways like Turkey Track Rd and Frenchman Rd, which follow the contours of the land between water sources. This 2020 survey illustrates how the northern Montana landscape remains oriented around these drainage systems, including Poplar Coulee and the primary Porcupine Coulee, which dictate the placement of local roads and property boundaries in this sparsely populated region.