2011 Map of Silver Bow Spring

About this map

Silver Bow Spring serves as a vital water source in this high-plains landscape of Blaine County, Montana. The terrain is defined by the winding course of Woody Island Creek, which drains through a region of complex coulees and draws. Rising above the surrounding drainage patterns, Middle Butte stands as a prominent landmark in the southwestern portion of the map. The human footprint here is represented by a sparse network of section-line roads and ridge routes, including Cherry Ridge Rd and Summit Rd, which follow the natural contours of the high ground between creek beds. This 2011 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey illustrates a landscape of large-scale ranching and open range, where the placement of roads and the location of perennial water sources like the spring dictate the movement of people and livestock across the northern Montana plains.