2017 Map of Runyan Bench

About this map

Runyan Bench and the surrounding high plains of Blaine County define this landscape of coulees and ridges. The terrain is characterized by strategic water management in a semi-arid environment, evidenced by Als Coulee Reservoir and Four O'Clock Reservoir, which capture runoff in an area where moisture is a critical resource for ranching. Steep topographic breaks lead into Bullwhacker Coulee and several seasonal drainages like Hedges Cr and Gap Cr. Prominent landforms such as Chimney Butte and Gumbo Butte provide clear navigational markers across the benchland. The sparse road network, consisting of Birdtail Rd and Three Mile Rd, reflects the large-scale land divisions and the isolated nature of this northern Montana territory during the early twenty-first century.