Abstract
In the arid Inland Northwest, water is undoubtedly the most important natural resource. Western Montana’s Clark Fork River basin is no exception. As the population of western Montana continues to grow, the Clark Fork River basin remains in de facto closure to establishing new water rights. Also, since there is no “growing communities doctrine” in Montana, communities cannot expand their rights to accommodate potential growth. It is therefore essential for communities to know the legal entitlements each have to water amounts. This assessment of municipal water rights and systems in the Clark Fork River basin was conducted by ascertaining the volume(s) and maximum flow(s) of each water right, analyzing the volume of water used annually, and projecting future water consumption amounts for the next 20 years based on their county’s projected population growth rates. Other information gathered for each community’s assessment include water conservation measures, water-related infrastructure, and metering. Interviews of water system managers/operators were conducted to gage their level of understanding of water resource issues and policies. It appears that while several communities in the Clark Fork River basin will have enough in water rights for the next 20 years, other communities such as Seeley Lake, Hamilton, and Missoula are more likely to experience difficulties in having sufficient quantities in water rights in the future.
Start Date
5-3-2010 2:30 PM
End Date
5-3-2010 3:00 PM
Document Type
Presentation
Municipal Water Systems and Water Rights in the Clark Fork River Basin
In the arid Inland Northwest, water is undoubtedly the most important natural resource. Western Montana’s Clark Fork River basin is no exception. As the population of western Montana continues to grow, the Clark Fork River basin remains in de facto closure to establishing new water rights. Also, since there is no “growing communities doctrine” in Montana, communities cannot expand their rights to accommodate potential growth. It is therefore essential for communities to know the legal entitlements each have to water amounts. This assessment of municipal water rights and systems in the Clark Fork River basin was conducted by ascertaining the volume(s) and maximum flow(s) of each water right, analyzing the volume of water used annually, and projecting future water consumption amounts for the next 20 years based on their county’s projected population growth rates. Other information gathered for each community’s assessment include water conservation measures, water-related infrastructure, and metering. Interviews of water system managers/operators were conducted to gage their level of understanding of water resource issues and policies. It appears that while several communities in the Clark Fork River basin will have enough in water rights for the next 20 years, other communities such as Seeley Lake, Hamilton, and Missoula are more likely to experience difficulties in having sufficient quantities in water rights in the future.