WATER SUPPLY 



Situation 



The three major river basins in Montana, the Colum- 

 bia, the Missouri, and the Yellowstone, have a total 

 outflow averaging nearly 44 million acre-feet per year. In 

 addition to the streamflows of the three major river basins 

 the state has over 1,500 natural lakes and more than 

 60,000 reservoirs (DNRC 1976). 



Water supply is dependent upon the watershed 

 characteristics, the amount of precipitation within the 

 watershed and the amount of water that can be stored 

 along Montana's waterways. There is a large variation in 

 seasonal and annual flows. As a result, water supply short- 

 ages and drought are experienced at some times in some 

 areas of the state. 



Drainages with localized water shortages, especially 

 during late summer months, include but are not limited to 

 the Powder, Tongue, Bitterroot, Madison, Gallatin, Jeffer- 

 son, Big Hole, Smith, Dearborn, Sun, Milk, and the 

 Mussellshell. The Jefferson Valley CD Long Range Plan, 

 for example, identifies 6 streams totaling 107 miles in 

 length that have dewatering problems. 



Demands for Montana's water are increasing, and 

 water availability is becoming crucial for agricultural pro- 

 duction. Claims for large amounts of water for industry, 

 hydropower, and maintenance of water quality and 

 fisheries may overtake the needs of agriculture. Coopera- 

 tion between all water users is vital in establishing 

 multiple-use water projects. 



The Montana Water Use Act provides that govern- 

 mental bodies such as conservation districts can reserve 

 water for future beneficial needs and can receive a priority 

 date when such reservations are granted. Districts must 

 give water reservations high priority in their planning ac- 

 tivities. A development plan must be submitted with an 

 application for water reservation. After the reservation is 

 granted, the Board of Natural Resources and Conserva- 

 tion requires the submission of a comprehensive plan 

 within three years. The plan must identify in some detail 

 where the water will be used, where the diversions and 

 storage will be made, the planned dates for development, 

 and a demonstration of diligence toward implementation 

 of the plan, based on economic and technological ad- 

 vancements. Such plans are especially needed by the CDs 

 along the Yellowstone River to maintain their water reser- 

 vations. 



Concerns 



Present and future requirements for 

 agricultural water must be met. Increased surface 

 storage is needed to meet future agricultural water 

 requirements. Also CDs will need additional 

 assistance if they are to take advantage of the water 

 reservations available to them. 



Objectives 



A) To provide incentives for water supply im- 

 provement projects the CDD will continue its at- 

 tempts to secure $112,000 biannually as a state 

 match for PL566 Watershed Project Planning. The 

 PL566 program involves construction of multiple 

 use water projects. The CDD will support efforts of 

 Congress to provide sufficient federal funds for the 

 rest of the project costs. See Part A, Objective 4 in 

 the Work Plan. 



Rationale: The PL566 watershed planning 

 must be continued to provide incentives for plan- 

 ning of multiple use water projects. 



B) To make loans for water development 

 projects the CDD will work with the Water 

 Resources Division of DNRC to carry out the water 

 development loan portion of the Water Develop- 

 ment Program. See Part A, Objective 30 of the 

 Work Plan. 



Rationale: Incentives are needed for further 

 development of Montana's water supply. 



C) To assist the 14 CDs along the 

 Yellowstone River with their water reservations 

 implementation plans; the CDD will work with 

 the Water Resources Division of DNRC to carry 

 out the water reservations implementation portion 

 of its Water Development Plan. Two engineers will 

 be available to assist CDs beginning September, 

 1981. The implementation plans are to be submit- 

 ted to the Board of Natural Resources and Conser- 

 vation by December 15, 1983. See Part A, Objec- 

 tive 31 of the Work Plan. 



Rationale: The CDs need to secure a future 

 source of water for agricultural production. 



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