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1984 Map of Salsbery Reservoir

Name: 1984 Topographic Map of Salsbery Reservoir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

Water management dominates this Phillips County landscape, as seen through a network of impoundments designed for a dry northern Montana environment. The central feature, Salsbery Reservoir, is one of several named reservoirs including Schmittou, Charley, and Louie that support the ranching and agricultural operations of the region. These artificial water bodies are strategically placed near natural drainages like the East Fork Whitewater Creek and Cottonwood Creek.

The drainage patterns of Stinky Creek and its tributary, the East Fork Stinky, dictate the local topography. To the south, Fjeldheim Reservoir and the bluntly named Big Reservoir further emphasize the necessity of water storage in this section of the Great Plains. The map reflects a landscape of functional utility, where survival and industry are tied directly to the control of seasonal runoff through these small-scale dams and catchments.