Montana Water Trust

COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

Montana Water Trust

Benefiting Landowners, Streamflows and Communities

Location: Midwest/Northern High Plains Region: Montana
Far West Region: Idaho

Project Summary: MWT develops water transfer agreements with farmers, ranchers, and other landowners that increase flows and benefit native fish in Montana’s 4,000 miles of dewatered streams.

Delbert Hawkins, a 3rd generation Montana cattle rancher, signed a 6-year water lease agreement with MWT. This agreement re-waters Ronan Creek, which ran dry 9 out of 10 years, and gives Delbert extra operating revenue for his "Lazy H Ranch." (Photo by Chris Corbin, former Project Manager)

Resource Challenge

Water is the backbone of a healthy, wild landscape. The Montana Water Trust recognizes that water quantity is essential for restoring aquatic ecosystems, and is also essential for the economic viability of Montana’s landowners and celebrated way of life.

That’s why we work cooperatively to re-water the 4,000 miles of chronically or periodically dewatered streams in Montana . Because the vast majority of water is privately owned in the West and 90% of diverted water is used for irrigation, MWT negotiates with willing landowners to put water back in habitats critical for native fish.

Examples of Key Partners

The Montana Water Trust believes collaboration is essential for the success of all restoration efforts. We concentrate on small tributaries where even a little water can make a significant difference for fish, and where our efforts will compliment the restoration work of other regional, national, and community organizations. Our partners include:

PRIVATE GROUPS:
PBS&J Consulting

Bonneville Power Administration
Painted Rocks Water Users Association
Bitterroot Irrigation District
WestWater Research
Hellgate Irrigation District

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES:
Natural Resources and Conservation Service
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
USGS
USFS
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Bureau of Land Management
University of Montana-Missoula

NON-PROFIT GROUPS:
Oregon Water Trust
Five Valleys Land Trust
Teller Wildlife Refuge
The Conservation Fund
Montana Land Reliance
American Conservation Real Estate
Washington Water Trust
Trout Unlimited
Property and Environment Research Center
Teller Wildlife Refuge
Montana Water Resources Association
Montana Stockgrowers' Association

WATERSHED GROUPS:
Bitter Root Water Forum
Big Hole Watershed Committee
Ninemile Watershed Group
Lolo Water Forum
Little Blackfoot Watershed Committee

FUNDERS:

Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program (Bonneville Power Administration)

Cinnabar Foundation

Mountaineers Foundation

Jubitz Foundation

General Service Foundation

National Forest Foundation
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Patagonia

Brainerd Foundation

Individual Donors

Results and Accomplishments

MWT’s on-the-ground watershed projects are enhanced by our work pioneering new water rights policies. Our conservation efforts seek to build new alliances between previously un-allied (often even adversarial) parties by implementing new models for water use and policy in the West.

We currently have 15 agreements through our Instream Flow Restoration Program that have restored a total of 54.64 cubic feet/second – over 35 million gallons of water per day – to Montana ’s rivers and streams! For details on each unique agreement, please visit our website below. Our project streams are located in the following watersheds:

Middle and Upper Clark Fork River
Flathead Lake
Flint Rock
Bitterroot River
Projects Pending in: Big Hole River and Gallatin River watersheds

Innovation/Highlight

By providing secure, alternative sources of income for Montana landowners, we assist Montana as a whole. Healthy streams benefit communities by enhancing native fisheries, increasing recreational opportunities, and protecting Montanans’ celebrated resources and way of life. MWT’s goal is to be as flexible as possible to fit individual landowners’ needs, as well as the hydrologic needs of each tributary. We use a variety of methods to increase streamflows, and to enhance the ecologic and economic sustainablity of Montana's communities and rivers.

Project Contact

Brianna Randall
Development Associate

218 South 6th Street East
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 829-3736
brianna.randall@montanawatertrust.org

Website: www.montanawatertrust.org

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