By Bureau of Improvement
September 19, 2021
Canyon Ferry Reservoir, part of the Upper Missouri River Basin. Credit: Bureau of Reclamation
The Bureau of Reclamation released the Missouri River Headwaters Basin Study that offers options to meet the increased water need and a modification in the timing of the snowmelt overflow in the Missouri River Basin above Fort Peck Reservoir. The basin covers about 50,000 square miles and is the main water source for 320,000 people and about 1.1 million acres of irrigated lands.
” In a big basin such as the Missouri, there are lots of obstacles to think about in preparing for a sustainable future,” Chief Engineer David Raff said. “The basin study offers the structure for the stakeholders and Reclamation to work together and enhance dry spell resiliency.”
The study identified difficulties facing Upper Missouri Basins supply of water. Key difficulties consist of:
Increasing annual supply of water compared to recent history.
Shifting earlier peak snowpack will result in an earlier snowmelt-driven runoff.
Changing runoff may result in more flooding throughout the winter season and spring seasons and water supply scarcities later on in the irrigation season..
Increasing water need due to a warming environment, broadened irrigation and population development.
Decreasing rain in the summer, increasing the reliance on reservoir storage.
The study partners established and assessed potential strategies to fulfill the obstacles within the basin. The strategies include:.
Improvement partnered with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to establish this basin research study. In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center and Montana State University– Bozeman took part in the development of this basin research study. Many water districts took part in the basin research studys development, and the study team interacted with the Blackfeet Tribe Water Resources Director..
The Missouri River Headwaters Basin Study belongs to Reclamations WaterSMART Program. View the complete report at www.usbr.gov/watersmart/bsp.
WaterSMART is the Department of the Interiors sustainable water effort that uses the finest offered science to improve water preservation and help water resource managers determine methods to narrow the space between supply and need.
Supplying water for future usages through water from Canyon Ferry Reservoir and Lake Elwell.
Providing water for future local, domestic, and commercial uses in the Gallatin Valley.
Increasing canal and on-farm irrigation effectiveness.
Releasing environmental flows from Canyon Ferry Reservoir and Lake Elwell.
Modifications water management methods in the Sun River Basin.
Producing brand-new off-stream storage in the Lower Musselshell River Basin.
Developing water management method for increased dry spell resilience.