1979 Map of Pownal

About this map

Pownal and the surrounding high plains of Central Montana are defined here by a complex topography of sharp-edged buttes and deep creek incisions. The rail corridor of the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific cuts diagonally across the landscape, following the lower elevations near Cowboy Creek and Arrow Creek as it navigates the tri-county junction of Chouteau, Judith Basin, and Fergus counties. This 1970s survey illustrates a region where water is a precious resource, marked by scattered Springs and a Flowing Well essential for ranching and agriculture on the Bench. Significant geographic features like Square Butte and the erosion-carved terrain of The Badlands near Surprise Cr dominate the western and southern sections, providing a clear look at the geological transitions of the Judith Basin area.