Why the Missouri River used to run north of the Bear Paws
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This graphic shows the locations of the southern edges of the glacial sheets and glacial lakes that covered much of north central Montana 100,000+ years ago. The map also shows the present-day route of the Milk (dots) and Missouri (dashes) Rivers. The pre-glacial route of the Missouri River was around the north edge of the Bear Paws and through Blaine County along a channel now occupied by the Milk River.
Several weeks ago my wife and I were returning from a trip to the Fort Peck area. Drivers who've made that trip know there are not many places to take a break between Glasgow and Malta. We remembered a state rest area located about halfway between Hinsdale and Glasgow and decided to make a quick pit stop there on our way back home to Chinook.
While waiting for my wife I began reading the informational sign at the rest stop that gave some information about the area. I was surprised to read that the area was covered by glaciers during several different periods through the centuries (per glac...
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