2011 Map of Wagon Coulee

About this map

Fort Peck Lake dominates the southern landscape of this Valley County region, where the Missouri River's impoundment creates a complex, branching shoreline. The terrain is defined by a series of deep drainages or coulees that carve through the high plains toward the water, including Wagon Coulee, Irishman Coulee, and Widow Coulee. These geographical features provide a window into the land use patterns of northeastern Montana, where ranching operations like the Faranuf Ranch maintain a presence amidst the vast open spaces. Small-scale water management is evident at the Carpenter Creek Dam on Carpenter Creek, while the northern portion of the map is marked by the prominence of Harper Ridge and the distinct landmark of Round Butte. The road network, including Burke Ranch Rd and Harper Ridge Rd, follows the natural contours of the ridges and coulees, illustrating the relationship between the physical landscape and local transportation routes.