1986 Map of Yellow Water Reservoir

About this map

War Horse National Wildlife Refuge dominates the southwestern portion of this landscape in Petroleum County, Montana. The terrain is defined by the significant hydrological feature of the Yellow Water Reservoir, which sits at the heart of a complex drainage network. Water flows through the prairie via Yellow Water Creek and its surrounding tributaries, including Snoose Creek and Elk Creek. A prominent Spillway at the reservoir indicates the managed nature of the water resources in this part of the state, serving agricultural or conservation purposes in an otherwise arid environment. Farther north, the course of McDonald Creek carves through the topography, illustrating the natural erosion patterns and land use of the mid-1980s. This survey, compiled from 1970s aerial photography, provides a clear record of the boundary between protected wildlife areas and the open range.