2017 Map of Y U Bench NE

About this map

The Greybull River valley serves as the lifeblood of this high-plains landscape, where an intricate network of historical irrigation infrastructure defines the region's agricultural character. This 2017 survey reveals the importance of water management in the Big Horn Basin, tracing the paths of the Keystone Ditch, Renner-Sims Ditch, and Himmerfield Ditch as they parallel the river's course. These man-made waterways support the valley floor between the elevated plateaus of Y U Bench and Emblem Bench. The small settlement of Fenton remains a central point in this rural expanse, connected by the Burlington Meeteetse Hwy. To the north, the terrain transitions toward more prominent landmarks like Bridger Butte and Red Point Draw, while the Bench Canal and Maller Ditch continue the legacy of reclamation that turned this arid environment into productive land.