Transformational Investments in Montana's Water Storage

The "dog days" of summer in Montana increasingly bring low, warm river flows and widespread angling restrictions-while water use peaks for irrigators, ranchers, municipalities, and a busy tourism season. Beyond a single hot summer, the state is confronting a structural mismatch: changing water needs and timing on one side, and shifting, sometimes shrinking supplies on the other. Montana's prior-appropriation system-where rights are tied to time, place, and seniority-can intensify conflict when flows drop and demand climbs.

To grapple with these challenges, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation spent the past four years convening a diverse stakeholder group under Gov. Greg Gianforte's direction. Municipalities, agriculture, development interests, and instream-flow advocates-including Montana Trout Unlimited's Clayton Elliott-debated priorities but agreed on one core goal: as a headwaters state, Montana must keep more water on the landscape before it runs downstream.

Their review found Montana lagging neighboring western states on storage investment; Wyoming, for example, spends far more. The group recommended a significant, durable funding approach. The administration responded with a trust-fund concept in the executive budget: invest principal now, use the earnings to (1) repair and modernize existing water infrastructure before it fails, and (2) seed new storage solutions-from natural process restoration to underground aquifer recharge and small-scale surface projects.

During the 2025 session, that framework advanced in two measures-HB 924 (Rep. Llew Jones, Conrad) and HB 932 (Rep. Ken Walsh, Twin Bridges)-both of which passed and were signed by Gov. Gianforte. Together, they establish a long-horizon investment stream to tackle urgent maintenance (aimed at avoiding crises like the Milk River Project's issues) while funding innovative storage that can adapt to Montana's changing hydrology.

Supporters say the outcome "lifts all boats": more resilient supplies for cities, agriculture, fish and wildlife, and outdoor recreation. Montana Trout Unlimited credits the administration and legislative leaders for embracing the stakeholder vision and says it's ready to help move projects from plan to practice across the state.