2017 Map of Sandpiper Reservoir

About this map

Sandpiper Reservoir sits at the center of this drainage-rich landscape in Blaine County, where a network of coulees and seasonal creeks define the high plains geography. The terrain is dominated by the deeply etched paths of Bullwhacker Coulee and Coal Mine Coulee, which channel water across the ranchlands. These intermittent watercourses were vital for livestock management, as evidenced by the series of small, strategically placed impoundments like Brush Shack Reservoir, Bud Reservoir, and Blanch Reservoir. Historic transit routes including the Cow Island Trl and Bullwhacker Rd skirt the edges of the coulee systems, following the natural contours of the land. This 2017 survey details the precise hydrography of the northern Missouri River breaks, capturing the complex network of branches such as Christenson Br and the rugged forks of Lion Coulee.