The Jefferson River Watershed Council received $300,000 funding from the Bureau of Reclamation last week to enhance watershed planning in the Jefferson River basin to facilitate trout conservation.
The council teamed up with Montana Trout Unlimited, a grassroots organization dedicated to conserving Montana’s coldwater fishery, to secure this grant from the USBR’s WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program. This program funds projects aimed at ensuring water supply sustainability in the western United States, including the conservation of threatened aquatic species.
The funding, allocated over three years, will focus on preparing a Watershed Restoration Plan for the upper Jefferson River. Jefferson river that is a tributary of the Missouri River, and flows north through agricultural lands and limestone cliffs, and into cottonwood forests near Three Forks. The Upper Jefferson River includes the main stem of the river and its primary tributaries goes around Boulder and extends upstream into its headwaters.
This plan aims to design projects addressing water quantity, quality, and temperature challenges exacerbated by prolonged drought– factors that are critical for sustaining trout populations. It will also support the hiring of technical experts to develop low-tech, process-based restoration projects to bolster rangeland resilience, enhance groundwater storage, and stabilize base flow in key tributaries. Additionally, the funding will facilitate the use of drones to assess riparian habitats, essential for prioritizing initiatives aimed at improving water temperatures.
“This funding will usher in a new era of watershed planning in the Jefferson basin,” said Chris Edgington, MTU’s Jefferson Watershed Project Manager. “With trout numbers near, or at historic lows across much of Southwest Montana, this is where we’ve been focusing our resources, and we’re pleased to have this support from the Bureau of Reclamation.”
According to a press release from Montana Trout Unlimited, the Jefferson River, a crucial tributary in southwest Montana, routinely contends with issues like low-flow and elevated water temperatures. The organizations have previously contributed to developing the Montana Drought Management Plan with a focus on restoration efforts.
The Board Chair of the JRWC Tom Harrington said, “The council has been dedicated to these challenges for decades. This grant funding presents a crucial opportunity to benefit our community and safeguard our essential water resources, arriving at a pivotal moment.”
Jefferson County is currently in a favorable water situation heading into summer, following a dry winter and wet spring. According to Doug Dodge, Director of Jefferson County’s Office of Emergency Management, this year’s water supply is at 60%-70% of the average.
“It’s not fantastic but it’s better than what we’ve experienced during drought years,” Dodge commented. “As we gear up for fire season, we’re anticipating a typical year, but there’s no guarantee when things start changing.”
The coalition pursued the grant for more than two years.
Jefferson County Commissioner Dan Hagerty said,”It’s been a long time coming. This is a win-win for both farmers, ranchers, and the trout habitat.”
The funds are expected to be available by early 2025, with the project slated for completion by December 2027.
