2024 Map of Shade Creek

About this map

Shade Creek Rd and Prairie Elk Rd trace the winding drainage patterns of this McCone County landscape, where the seasonal flow of Shade Creek meets its southern tributaries. The terrain is defined by a dense network of coulees and draws, most notably Williams Coulee in the southeast. Water management is central to this rangeland, evidenced by the Christianson Reservoir positioned along the South Fork Shade Creek. The map documents a sparsely populated area characterized by traditional township and range divisions, where ephemeral water sources like Ruff Creek dictate the local geography. This 2024 survey provides a clear view of the modern road network and hydrologic features as they exist today in this part of eastern Montana.