Big Muddy Badlands
Badlands in southern Saskatchewan, Canada and northern Montana, United States / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Big Muddy Badlands[1] are a series of badlands in southern Saskatchewan, Canada, and northern Montana, United States, in the Big Muddy Valley and along Big Muddy Creek.[2] Big Muddy Valley is a cleft of erosion and sandstone that is 55 kilometres (34 mi) long, 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) wide, and 160 metres (520 ft) deep.[3]
Big Muddy Badlands | |
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Coordinates: 49.2176°N 105.2191°W / 49.2176; -105.2191 | |
Location | Southern Saskatchewan and northern Montana |
Range | Missouri Coteau |
Part of | Big Muddy Valley |
Age | Last ice age |
Formed by | Big Muddy Creek |
Geology | Badlands |
Dimensions | |
• Length | 55km |
• Width | 3.2km |
• Depth | 160m |
The Big Muddy Valley and Big Muddy Badlands were formed over 12,000 years ago near the end of the last ice age when a glacial lake outburst flood occurred from a pre-historic glacial lake located at present-day Old Wives Lake.[4] Big Muddy Lake is a large salt lake at the heart of the badlands. Two other notable lakes, Willow Bunch Lake and Lake of the Rivers, are farther upstream in the valley.
A prominent feature of the badlands is Castle Butte (49.2175°N 105.2191°W / 49.2175; -105.2191), which is an outcrop of sandstone and compressed clay that protrudes above the flat prairie. It has a height of 60 metres (200 ft) and a circumference of 500 metres (1,600 ft). It is located 19 kilometres (12 mi) south of Bengough on Highway 34, about halfway between Big Muddy Lake and Willow Bunch Lake.[5]
Jean Louis Legare Regional Park is a campground and golf course near Willow Bunch at the northern end of the valley.[6]
Ranching and tourism are important industries in the sparsely populated area.[7] Tours of the badlands are arranged from the nearby town of Coronach.[8]