2014 Map of Van Dusen Spring

About this map

Van Dusen Spring serves as a vital water source in this arid stretch of Garfield County, where the landscape is defined by an intricate network of erosional drainage features. The terrain is deeply incised by numerous coulees, including Klein Coulee, Lynch Coulee, and Smiley Coulee, which channel seasonal runoff toward the south and east. These geological depressions reflect the classic high plains topography of eastern Montana, where water management is central to the land's utility. Human presence is marked by rural infrastructure such as the Guesanborn Reservoir and the paths of Guesanborn Rd and Sand Creek Rd, which provide access through the complex network of draws. The map illustrates a section of the Public Land Survey System across Township 15 North, Range 36 East, highlighting how early 20th-century ranching and land use patterns were dictated by the availability of water at sites like Sand Creek.