Preparing to implement a new framework in 2025
For over 100 years, the Milltown Water Right was used to supply power generation to the Bonner lumber mill. The water right is now co-owned by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and will be managed for the purpose of instream fishery. FWP and CSKT worked together to develop an implementation framework, prior to the water right becoming enforceable on April 24, 2025.
Implementation framework
As CSKT and FWP move into the final stages of refining the Milltown Water Right Implementation Framework, all potentially affected water right holders or users are encouraged to provide input on future water management in the Upper Clark Fork and Blackfoot Basins.
Public Meetings
FWP and CSKT will host meetings in May to discuss the framework and answer questions. The meeting schedule is:
May 19, Deer Lodge at 6:30 p.m.
Powell Community Center (416 Cottonwood Ave)
May 20, Ovando at 6:30 p.m.
Ovando Fire Hall (410 Main St)
May 22, Drummond at 6:30 p.m.
Community Hall (52 East Broad St)
Share your input on future water management in the Upper Clark Fork and Blackfoot Basins:
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History
The Milltown Water Right was first put to beneficial use in 1904 as a run-of-the-river hydropower right, used to generate electricity for the Bonner lumber mill. The dam and its associated water right were acquired by Montana Power Company in 1929, and then by Northwestern Energy in 2002 when it purchased Montana Power’s electric and gas transmission network. Throughout its first 100+ years, the Milltown Water Right was continuously used for hydropower generation and the water right remained active during changes in ownership.
Current ownership
In 2008, when Milltown Dam was removed, the State of Montana acquired the water right with the intent to help restore the fishery in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin. Then, on April 24, 2015, the Montana Legislature ratified the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes – Montana Water Rights Compact (MCA 85-20-1901) and split the Milltown Water Right into two rights—one for the Upper Clark Fork and one for the Blackfoot (still referred to collectively as the Milltown Water Right)—and made FWP and CSKT co-owners of the water rights.
Implementation & community planning
Enforcement of the water rights was deferred until April 24, 2025 to give FWP and CSKT the opportunity to engage with stakeholders in the basin. During the deferral period (2015-present), FWP and CSKT have been visiting with water users and watershed groups to discuss water management and drought planning with the goal of minimizing impacts to water users while still meeting fisheries conservation goals. With the help of the Blackfoot Challenge and others, FWP and CSKT held community listening sessions in 2019.
For more information, or to request a local meeting with your watershed group or organization, contact:
Stephen Begley
FWP Water Rights & Instream Flow Specialist
406-444-1229
sbegley@mt.gov
Seth Makepeace
CSKT Water Program
406-675-2700 x6225
seth.makepeace@cskt.org