1954 Map of Rice Reservoir

About this map

Rice Reservoir and its associated water management infrastructure anchor this mid-century survey of the high plains in Chouteau County. The landscape is defined by a series of dramatic erosional features, including Bird Coulee, Cherry Coulee, and the aptly named Long Coulee and Short Coulee. These deep natural drainages cut through the level terrain, revealing the complex topography of a region reliant on strategic water storage. The presence of Birkeland Reservoir and a designated Spring further illustrates the critical role of water resources for agricultural and ranching sustainability in this environment. Surveyed during the 1950s, the map documents the precise elevation benchmarks and engineering details like the Spillway 3350 that shaped the local hydrology before modern developments altered the rural landscape.