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Dewatering 



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How We Impact Water Levels 



• Over-appropriating water 



• Building dams 



• Storing water in reservoirs 



• Transferring water from one basin to another 



In many watersheds within Montana, more 

 water rights exist than water. Because of this 

 over-appropriation ofioater, streams are dewa- 

 tered on a regular basis by people exercising 

 their water rights. Dezvatering occurs every 

 year but is especially intense during droughts. 



Lessening Our Impact 



• If possible, provide more water for in- 

 stream flows 



• Use irrigation water efficiently 



• Use only legally appropriated water 

 shares 



• Try to manage reservoirs for water 

 flows and fisheries 



• Consider leasing water rights for in- 

 stream use 



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Effects of Our Impact 



• Disrupts natural life cycles of animals such as trout that 

 depend on seasonal flows 



• Decreases aquatic habitat by decreasing amount of water 

 and vegetation 



• Changes streamside vegetation from native riparian 

 species to less-productive dryland species 



• Increases water temperature 



• Can alter natural cycle of high spring and low 

 winter flows 



• Can cause ice buildups if winter water flow is low; this 

 causes ice jams that can scour stream banks, fish habitat, 

 and adjacent properties 





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