The monthly Swan Valley Community Council Meeting on March 19 had reports from the Swan Valley Volunteer Fire Department and the Forest Service. In addition, special guest speaker Jim Nave from Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation discussed water rights in the Swan Valley.
“The Swan Valley is one of the only basins in Montana that still has surface water rights available,” Nave said. “Other basins are closed for new surface water rights.”
The Swan Basin encompasses the Swan River drainage to its confluence with Flathead Lake in Big Fork, including all tributaries, said Nave.
There are many criteria involved before landowners can apply for a water right. There are surface water rights for water that is visible — such as a river, creek or flowing spring. Groundwater permits are also available for wells as long as the use is limited to 30 gallons/minute and 10 acre/feet per year.
Nave said studies show that the average home in Missoula County is two and a half people. Each person uses about 100 gallons a day of water. This equates to 0.2 acre feet per household per year.
Each water source needs to be looked at individually to determine if there is water physically available for appropriation into a water right. Anyone with questions can call the Missoula Regional DNRC office 406-721-4284.
Swan Community Council Chair Grace Siloti enjoys choosing interesting people to speak at the monthly council meetings.
“I got interested in water rights when the water compact was going through,” Siloti said. “I like to go to the source of information. It was great to have Jim come.”
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes – Montana Compact is a water rights agreement between the State of Montana, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and the United States. After over a decade of negotiations, the compact resolves CSKT’s reserved water right claims and creates a joint state-tribal system for administering water rights on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The compact went into effect in 2021.
In more regular counsel business, John Hallman, volunteer with the Swan Valley Volunteer Fire Department, encouraged people to be safe during the spring burning season, which started March 1. Hallman stressed the importance of calling Missoula County to check the air quality before burning. The county burn permit website to check for burn restrictions, update permits and sign up for permits can be found at burn.egovmt.com or by calling 1-888-583-6497. To check air quality, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/
Special permits for seasonal use by outfitters were discussed by Chris Dowling, Swan Lake District Ranger.
The April 16 meeting will feature bridges and road information from Shane Stack, Missoula County Public Works Director.
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