The Big Hole Watershed Committee holds public meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at the Divide Grange Hall, with a Zoom option available. These meetings provide an opportunity for community members to stay informed about watershed projects, committee activities, current issues affecting the Big Hole River, and upcoming events. Each meeting includes committee updates, project reports, time for discussion, and presentations on topics relevant to the watershed and local communities.
At our June 2026 meeting, we heard updates and presentations on several timely issues affecting the Big Hole watershed:
- Luke Lutz of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation provided a streamflow, snowpack, and drought update. Conditions were already ranging from abnormally dry to severe drought, with drought expected to persist through the summer.
- Representatives from the Montana Mining Association, Almonty, and Mithril Mining joined the meeting for a discussion about tungsten mining activity in the Big Hole watershed. Presenters discussed modern hard-rock mining regulations, Almonty’s plans for an underground tungsten mine and existing mill near Glen, and Mithril Mining’s evaluation of the historic Calvert Mine.
- Danika Holmes, Upper Missouri Regional Water Planner with DNRC, presented on Montana’s Reduced or Ceased Water Use Reporting process and recent changes under House Bill 580. She explained how water users who voluntarily reduce or cease water use during qualifying drought conditions can document those reductions while protecting against a presumption of abandonment of their water rights.
The meeting also included updates on BHWC’s restoration, wildlife, drought, and water-storage work, including the Kamperschroer Springs fish habitat project, Moose Creek beaver reintroduction efforts, range riding and carcass removal programs, and the summer High Meadow Water Storage Capacity Assessment.
You can view the full June 2026 meeting minutes here: June 2026 Meeting Minutes