2024 Map of Saddle Butte SW

About this map

The Little Missouri River meanders deeply through the broken badlands of Dunn County before emptying into the massive reservoir of Lake Sakakawea. This landscape is defined by the intricate flooded finger-bays that reach into the surrounding coulees, including Sakakawea Bay, Hidatsa Bay, and Wolf Chief Bay. The name-heavy topography reflects the indigenous heritage and geographic history of the Fort Berthold region, with features like Charging Eagle Bay and Moccasin Creek marking the intersections of land and water. Bureau of Indian Affairs routes, such as BIA Rd 17 and BIA Rd, provide the primary access through the high ridges and deep draws like Ash Coulee and Sagebrush Coulee. The map illustrates the complex shoreline formed by the inundation of the Missouri River valley, creating a labyrinth of water and earth in the heart of the North Dakota plains.