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2017 Map of Sand Arroyo

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Sand Arroyo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Nelson Airport sits in the southern portion of this landscape, reflecting the sparse, utilitarian infrastructure of eastern Montana. The terrain is defined by a network of drainage systems like Bergland Coulee and Andrews Coulee, which carve through the high plains toward the Fort Peck Reservoir. Notable landmarks such as Goat Mtn and Andrews Hill rise above the surrounding flats, serving as navigational anchors in a region where the vastness is punctuated only by these sharp relief features.

Water plays a central role in the topography, with the North Arm Sand Arroyo Bay and South Arm Sand Arroyo Bay marking the fingers of the reservoir reaching into the draws. The presence of Reaves Spring and the seasonal flows of Prong Shade Cr highlight the critical nature of water sources for land use here. Transportation is limited to a few arterial routes like Shade Creek Rd, which connect the isolated flats and hills of McCone County.