1964 Map of Ragland Bench

About this map

Ragland Bench and Golf Bench dominate this northern Montana landscape, part of a 1960s study for the development of the Missouri River Basin. These high, flat plateaus are divided by the winding path of Black Coulee, which cuts deeply through the terrain as it drains toward the south. The mapping reflects a sparse, arid environment where landforms define the geography more than human settlement. The intricate contour work, derived from aerial photography taken in 1963, illustrates the sharp breaks between the level benchlands and the eroded coulee system below. This survey provides a specialized look at the drainage patterns and physical topography of Blaine County before further modern agricultural or infrastructure changes altered the surface features of these distinct geological formations.