Montana Reservoir Water Outlook 2013

Missoula, MTMissoula, MTMay 28, 2013May 28, 2013

Larry A. SchockLarry A. Schock

Missoula Regional OfficeMissoula Regional Office

Water Resources DivisionWater Resources Division

East Fork of Rock Creek DamEast Fork of Rock Creek Dam

Fred Burr DamFred Burr Dam

Nevada Creek DamNevada Creek Dam

Painted Rocks DamPainted Rocks Dam

Total Capacity:Total Capacity: 16,040 Acre Feet (AF)16,040 Acre Feet (AF)

Location:Location: 14 miles SW of Phillipsburg Mt.14 miles SW of Phillipsburg Mt.

Operated By:Operated By: Flint Creek Water Users Assn.Flint Creek Water Users Assn.

Reservoir Surface Area:Reservoir Surface Area: 390 acres at full pool390 acres at full pool

Provides supplemental irrigation water to 25,000 Provides supplemental irrigation water to 25,000 acres in the Flint Creek Valley.acres in the Flint Creek Valley.

Currently at 71% of capacity with 11,462 Acre-feet of storage

Currently at 71% capacity with 11,462 Acre-Feet of storage

71%

Operated By:Operated By: Fred Burr Water Users Assn. Fred Burr Water Users Assn.

Total Capacity:Total Capacity: 516 AF516 AF

Location:Location: 10 miles NW of Hamilton Mt.10 miles NW of Hamilton Mt.

Provides supplemental irrigation water for 860 acres.Provides supplemental irrigation water for 860 acres.

Reservoir Surface Area:Reservoir Surface Area: 28 acres at full pool28 acres at full pool

Operated By:Operated By: Nevada Creek Water Users Assn. Nevada Creek Water Users Assn.

Total Capacity: 11,207 AFTotal Capacity: 11,207 AF

Location:Location: 12 miles SE of Helmville, Mt. 12 miles SE of Helmville, Mt.

Provides full service irrigation for 1000 acres and Provides full service irrigation for 1000 acres and supplemental irrigation for 10,000 acres near supplemental irrigation for 10,000 acres near Helmville and Ovando Mt.Helmville and Ovando Mt.

Reservoir Surface Area:Reservoir Surface Area: 368 acres at full pool368 acres at full pool

Currently at 75% capacity with 8368 Acre-Feet of storage

Operated By:Operated By: Painted Rocks Water Users AssnPainted Rocks Water Users Assn

Total Capacity:Total Capacity: 32,656 AF32,656 AF

Location:Location: 30 miles SW of Darby Mt.30 miles SW of Darby Mt.

Provides 10,000 AF of supplemental irrigation water for Provides 10,000 AF of supplemental irrigation water for over 25,000 acres in the Bitterroot Valley and 15,000 AF over 25,000 acres in the Bitterroot Valley and 15,000 AF of water for instream flows in the Bitterroot River for of water for instream flows in the Bitterroot River for fisheries habitat enhancement.fisheries habitat enhancement.

Reservoir Surface Area:Reservoir Surface Area: 655 acres at full pool655 acres at full pool

100% of capacity, spilling with 32,656 Acre-feet of storage

The majority of SWP reservoirs started Water Year 2013 The majority of SWP reservoirs started Water Year 2013 with average or below average reservoir contents. with average or below average reservoir contents.

State Water Project (SWP) reservoir contents State Water Project (SWP) reservoir contents based on storage reported at end of May.based on storage reported at end of May.

Due to the hot dry weather at the end of last Due to the hot dry weather at the end of last summer most SWP reservoirs had lower than summer most SWP reservoirs had lower than normal winter carryover storage.normal winter carryover storage.

Most of the SWP reservoirs are expected to fill. Most of the SWP reservoirs are expected to fill. East Fork of Rock Creek, Martinsdale and East Fork of Rock Creek, Martinsdale and Yellowwater may not fill. Yellowwater may not fill.

Currently 14 of 18 SWP reservoirs have lower Currently 14 of 18 SWP reservoirs have lower storage levels than this time last year.storage levels than this time last year.

Late spring rains and a cooler weather have Late spring rains and a cooler weather have slowed snow melt in most areas, increased the slowed snow melt in most areas, increased the soil moisture content, and slightly increased the soil moisture content, and slightly increased the water supply outlook.water supply outlook.