2012 Map of Sykes Spring

About this map

Sykes Mountain stands as a prominent landmark in this arid region on the Montana-Wyoming border, where water management defines the human footprint on the landscape. This 2012 survey illustrates the critical role of irrigation in Carbon County, featuring the Big Fork Canal and the Dew and Duffield Ditch which divert water through the dry terrain. The eastern edge of the map is dominated by the northern reaches of Bighorn Lake, a significant reservoir that contrasts with the seasonal drainage of Crooked Cr. Local geography is further marked by family or descriptive names for water sources, such as Sykes Spring and Britton Spring, which historically served as vital points in an area otherwise characterized by features like Big Coulee. The road network, including Gypsum Creek Rd and Crooked Creek Rd, follows the natural contours of the stream beds, reflecting a landscape where transport and survival are tied to the available water courses.