2017 Map of Shepard Reservoir

About this map

The Montana-Wyoming border cuts across this rangeland landscape, where the northern edge of Carter County meets Crook County. The terrain is defined by a dense network of intermittent drainages feeding the Belle Fourche River and its major tributaries, including Crow Creek and Humboldt Creek. This territory is characterized by its agricultural water management, with numerous small impoundments like Shepard Reservoir, Lone Tree Reservoir, and Bulb Creek Reservoir distributed across the prairie to support livestock in an arid environment. Transportation follows the contours of the land and old survey lines, notably via the Bentonite Road and Bentonite Haul Road, which point to the industrial heritage of the region. Natural landmarks such as Mud Butte and Antelope Hill provide the few significant elevation changes in this open expanse.