2024 Map of Three Forks

About this map

The confluence of the Jefferson River and Madison River anchors this study of the Gallatin Valley, where the settlement of Three Forks serves as a critical junction for regional travel and irrigation. The map reveals a complex water management system essential to the high plains, featuring the Lower Jefferson Ditch, Francis Walbert Ditch, and Darlington Ditch winding through the lowlands. To the north, the terrain rises toward Prospect Hill and the former mining area of Copper City, illustrating the transition from agricultural river bottoms to the mineral-rich uplands. Local aviation and commerce are central to the landscape, evidenced by Three Forks Airport and Hasskamp Airport. Modern residential expansion is visible in the network of roads near Wheatland, while the presence of Three Forks Junction and the Old Yellowstone Trail highlights the area's long-standing role as a gateway for travelers moving through southwest Montana.