1984 Map of Porcupine Coulee

About this map

Porcupine Coulee and its neighboring drainages define the character of this Phillips County landscape during the mid-1970s and early 1980s. The terrain is marked by a network of seasonal watercourses including Rattlesnake Coulee, Poplar Coulee, and Prestige Coulee, which cut through the high plains. Human presence is sparse and functional, centered on water sources and basic transport. Notable landmarks such as Split Shack Spring indicate the critical importance of water for ranching or travel in this arid region, while a remote Airstrip in the southeast corner suggests the vast distances required for aerial access in rural Montana. The map illustrates a network of unimproved roads and trails that navigate the elevation changes between the coulee floors and the surrounding plateaus, providing a clear record of the area's pastoral infrastructure before the turn of the century.