FWP fisheries administrators say drought is an unfortunate reminder of the need for innovative short- and long-term tools to help relieve low stream flows. One way to protect Montana’s fisheries is work FWP does with local communities, watershed groups, conservation districts and sportsmen and women to identify and act on situations where in-stream water flow and fisheries habitat can be preserved. Water conservation, restoration of streams, improvement of irrigation facilities and negotiating leases for water are some of the tools used. "In many cases, real progress has been made since the last really dry year in 1994, but we have significant work ahead to increase the number of water leases and to work together on creative ways to conserve water," said Kathleen Williams, FWP’s Water Resources Program Manager. FWP holds 13 water leases on tributaries to the Jefferson, Blackfoot, Upper Yellowstone and the Upper Clark Fork, as a result of laws passed that allow individuals with water rights to lease a portion of their water right to FWP for "in-stream" use. These leases enhance spawning and rearing habitat for trout. "Our leases provide water in streams that regularly went dry-even in good years. This is the benefit of putting these solutions in place in advance of a crisis," Williams said. In another move to conserve in-stream flow, FWP is sending letters to junior water right holders on the Smith River, calling for water to protect the fishery. "We try to pursue alternatives available to us before making a call for water," Williams said. "The Smith, a critical stream, is in a critical situation and we have no water leases on the river." FWP in-stream rights or reservations function like other water rights in the state. "Priority" for water is determined by the date associated with the water right. "People with water rights junior to ours received a letter in June advising them that if the dry conditions continue or worsen, it is possible FWP will need to make a call for water," Williams said. "We sincerely hoped for everyone’s sake that we could avoid this situation, but conditions continue to deteriorate." Williams said the drought conditions are likely to force FWP to call for water on other rivers where it has in-stream water rights. A list of the rivers with FWP in-stream flow water rights and the priority dates of these water rights are on the internet at: http://web1.nris.state.mt.us/scripts/esrimap.dll?name=MRIS2&Cmd=INST FWP is interested in investigating flow-leasing opportunities with senior water right holders who no longer need to use all of their appropriated water. FWP helps develop salvage water projects, assesses water savings, and assists with the authorizations to change the water rights involved in a leasing agreement. For more information, contact Water Resources Program Manager, Kathleen Williams, at 406-444-3888, or send email to: kwilliams@state.mt.us.
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