About the Big Hole River Drought Management Plan

Shared Sacrifice, Shared Success

The Big Hole River Drought Management Plan designates target river flow and temperature conditions for fish health in five river sections of the Big Hole River. The plan includes voluntary conservation targets for all water users, MFWP fishing restriction criteria, and information tools. Conservation actions are designed support the health of the fishery.

The plan outlines voluntary conservation actions and relies on Shared Sacrifice, Shared Success – if all users sacrifice, we can all be successful in protecting the fishery. The plan also designates MFWP fishing restrictions when drought conditions reach critical levels.

The BHWC DMP originated in 1997. The plan is reviewed annually by a committee made up of irrigators, fishermen, conservation groups, and agency representatives as well as the entire BHWC.

River Conditions

Streamflow Forecast

Provided by Matt Norberg, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation as of October 16, 2019

Streamflow: Streamflows in the upper Big Hole basin are generally average to above average for this time of year. Streamflows in the lower Big Hole basin are above average for this time of year. A couple of large early fall storms, decreased air temperatures, decreasing evapotranspiration, and irrigation shutdowns have elevated streamflows throughout the basin.

Precipitation: June, July, and August precipitation levels were below average for the Wisdom area. September precipitation was below average for the majority of the month until a mid/late September storm provided snow/rain mix across the basin. October storms have also provided an early boost to the snowpack with the Jefferson basin as a whole at 304% and 352% for the Big Hole specifically. (Keep in mind these values can change rapidly and reflect early water year conditions.)

Forecast: ENSO-neutral conditions are favored during the Northern Hemisphere fall 2019 (~85% chance), continuing through spring 2020 (55-60% chance). Given the ENSO-neutral conditions, be sure to closely watch upcoming forecasts as we move into the fall and winter months. Most recent NOAA 1-month outlook is for below normal temperatures and above average precipitation.

View the Forecast Details

2016 Fundraising

$9100
$4550
$0

2018 USGS Gage Bill:
$9,100

Water Temperature at Big Hole River @ Wise River (Dickie Bridge), Maiden Rock, and Notch Bottom (Glen):
$3,600

USGS Flow Gages for Upper Big Hole CCAA program:
$5,500

Make a River Gage Donation Today

Resources

Wise River Real-Time Gage

Success Story

The Wise River real-time gage was installed near the mouth of the Wise River October 2015. The Big Hole Watershed Committee sought installation in order to continue flow and temperature monitoring in the Wise River, as well provide information for Wise River irrigators. The gage reports flow, stage and water temperature in real-time via Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Surface Water website. The gage is part of the 2015 launch of DNRC & Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology real-time monitoring system for small streams, who installed and operates the gage. Funding was provided by Big Hole Watershed Committee, The Nature Conservancy, and Montana Trout Unlimited and is graciously hosted on the PKR Ranch. The Big Hole Watershed Committee in partnership with DNRC, MFWP, and Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology have been conducting monitoring of the Wise River surface and groundwater since 2011.

Read More Success Stories