2011 Map of Watson

About this map

Watson and Preston anchor this ranching and mining landscape in Meagher County, where the Smith River valley meets a complex network of drainages. The area’s history is etched into the terrain through names like Freighters Gulch and Lambing Camp Gulch, suggesting the early transportation and sheep-raising routes that once crossed these hills. Evidence of mineral exploration appears at the Vermont Creek Mine and Thomas Creek Mine, both located near the winding course of Vermont Creek and Thomas Creek. Water management for local agricultural use is prominent throughout the quadrangle, notably at Stoyanoff Lake and its corresponding Stoyanoff Dam, as well as the Robin Hood Number 1 Dam and Robin Hood Number 2 Dam. The southern portion of the map is defined by the convergence of Keep Cool Creek and the North Fork Elk Creek.