2017 Map of Signal Butte

About this map

Fort Peck Lake defines the western edge of this landscape, where the waters meet the dissected breaks of the Missouri River country. The boundary between Valley Co and Garfield Co runs through the reservoir, marking a remote transition between the high plains and the intricate drainage systems that feed the lake. The terrain is characterized by deep coulees and prominent high points, most notably Signal Butte and the Piney Buttes in the southeast. A complex network of seasonal waterways, including Bog Coulee, E Fork Crooked Cr, and White Horse Coulee, has carved the land into a series of ridges and draws. These features, along with Swallow Nest Spring, suggest a landscape shaped by both wind and water, where natural landmarks provided essential navigation points for early inhabitants and ranchers alike.