2011 Map of Shirley

About this map

The Yellowstone River cuts a wide path through this Custer County landscape, serving as the central geographic anchor for the small settlement of Shirley. This 2011 survey documents a territory defined by its water management and historic transit corridors, notably the Lewis and Clark Trl and the Kinsey Main Canal. The irrigation infrastructure provided by the canal system contrasts with the numerous natural intermittent drainages like Dead Horse Creek, Short Creek, and Hay Creek that etch the surrounding plains. To the southeast, the McFarland Reservoir represents a significant point of water storage for this arid region. The map captures the intersection of historical exploration routes and modern ranching or agricultural life, where roads like East Loop Rd provide access to the river's edge and the many creeks feeding into the Yellowstone basin.