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2011 Map of Watkins

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Watkins
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Watkins and the surrounding rangeland of eastern Montana define this landscape, where water management is central to the local economy. The map reveals a network of small dams and reservoirs, including Jordan Reservoir Number 1 Dam and Jordan Reservoir Number 2 Dam, which harness the intermittent flow of the Redwater River and Trail Creek. This pattern of water capture is visible throughout the area, with several other structures such as Hughes Dam and Thorn Dam situated along the drainage of Duck Creek.

Surface infrastructure is largely tied to a grid of rural roads like Bob Fudge Rd and Hughes Rd, providing access to the sprawling grazing lands. The presence of the Lisk Creek Reservoir in the southern portion further illustrates how crucial these small-scale impoundments are for ranching operations in a semi-arid environment. This survey captures a moment in the early 21st century when the settlement of Watkins remained a vital waypoint in McCone County's expansive agricultural landscape.