2017 Map of Willow Swamp

About this map

Spanish Peaks and the high northern reaches of the Madison Range dominate this high-elevation landscape within the Gallatin National Forest and Beaverhead National Forest. The area is defined by a dense network of alpine water bodies and drainages, including the eponymous Willow Swamp and its associated Willow Swamp Cr. The hydrology of the region is notably complex, with numerous small lakes such as Big Brother Lake, Lake Solitude, and the Chilled Lakes feeding into various forks of the Cherry Cr and North Fork Spanish Creek. The presence of features like Pioneer Falls and Jerome Rock Lakes illustrates a glaciated terrain where dramatic elevation changes dictate the flow of water through deep basins like Newell Basin. This survey provides a precise look at the land and water patterns in this Madison County wilderness before recent changes in forest management and climate shifted local ecosystems.