2020 Map of Wheat Basin

About this map

Wheat Basin anchors this high plains landscape in Stillwater County, characterized by a series of expansive seasonal water bodies and intermittent drainages. The map reveals a sophisticated network of county roads including Wheat Basin Rd and Hageman Rd that navigate the section lines of this agricultural region. The hydrologic profile is particularly notable, dominated by the significant depression of Big Lake in the southern portion and the namesake Lake Basin near the center. These features, along with Halfbreed Lake, suggest a basin-and-range topography where water collects in large, shallow flats. To the south, the terrain rises toward Rattlesnake Ridge, providing a geographical boundary to the drainage systems of Cedar Creek and Lost Cr. This survey captures the rural character of the Montana plains where the grid of the Public Land Survey System dictates the placement of early ranching and transport infrastructure.