2011 Map of Thompson Coulee

About this map

Armells Creek meanders through this portion of Fergus County, defining a landscape of deep drainage channels and intermittent water sources. The terrain is characterized by significant coulees that score the earth, including the eponymous Thompson Coulee and Sawmill Coulee in the central portion of the sheet, and Antelope Coulee to the south. Human imprint on this rural environment is sparse, centered primarily around livestock and water management as evidenced by features like Poor Sport Dam and Murray Dam. The primary corridor for travel through this area is Knox Ridge Rd, which traverses the northern reaches above Sourdough Creek. This survey captures the specialized ranching geography of central Montana, where named topographic depressions and small-scale dams are the primary landmarks for navigation and land use.