Draft Water Exchange Proposal on the Bitterroot River 



May, 1988 



The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks wishes to extend to those who 

 irrigate from the Bitterroot River a water exchange proposal similar to the 

 agreement of 1987. The exchange consists of: 



1. A quantity of water up to 3,000 acre-feet would be made available by 

 DFWP, early in the irrigation season, for irrigation use at any flow 

 rate from Painted Rocks Reservoir. 



2. DFWP could request participating irrigators to reduce irrigation 

 diversion to maintain instreara flows of A02 cfs (16,080 inches) at 

 Bell Crossing after September 15. 



3. DFWP would keep flow records at Bell Crossing and monitor reservoir 

 releases. 



4. DFWP would pay costs associated with the river commissioner to protect 

 water purchased for instream flow. In years when irrigators also buy 

 water costs for the commissioner would be shared. 



In return, irrigators would agree to the following: 



1. Pay DNRC to have the dam gates opened and closed when water is 

 released for irrigation. 



2. Sign the petition for the appointment of a river commissioner in years 

 when the DFWP needs one to deliver stored water to Bell Crossing. 



3. A water commissioner would deliver sufficient water to provide a flow 

 of not less than 100 cfs (ApOO inches) at Bell Crossing. 



4. Fall shutdown of irrigation ditches will be done in a manner to 

 stimulate fish movement out of canals back to the river. 



One person would be appointed to represent the department and one person to 

 represent the irrigators in matters concerning the management of Painted 

 Rocks water. At a minimum, holders of 15 percent of the water right must 

 be party to this agreement. 



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