Water Adjudication
(Pre-1973 Water Rights)
The Water Adjudication Program assists the Montana Water Court in the adjudication of all claims prior to July 1, 1973 water rights. The Program is required to report progress quarterly to the Water Policy Interim Committee (WPIC). In addition, the Water Adjudication Program also provides post-decree assistance to the Water Court as requested.
| 1962-1973 GROUND WATER RECORD | K |
| GROUND WATER CERTIFICATE | C |
| INTER-STATE CLAIM | X |
| POWDER RIVER DECLARATION | D |
| PROVISIONAL PERMIT | P |
| STOCKWATER PERMIT | P |
| TEMPORARY PERMIT | Q |
| RESERVED CLAIM | U |
| STATEMENT OF CLAIM | W |
| WATER RESERVATION | M |
| CONSERVATION DISTRICT RECORD | R |
If you have received a claimant contact letter associated with the examination process, the response time was increased from 30 to 60 days on 2/14/2024. All letters dated after 2/14/2024 will be given the full 60 days to respond and work with the Department.
Adjudication Status: Sorted by Drainage Basin Number
| Basin # | Final Decrees | Decree Type | Date Issued | Basin Name |
| PRELIMINARY | 04-04-2019 | BLACKFEET TRIBE - STATE OF MONTANA - UNITED STATES COMPACT | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 04-04-2019 | BLACKFEET TRIBE'S OFF RESERVATION INSTREAM RESERVED WATER RIGHTS | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 03-06-2009 | BLM MONTANA COMPACT | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 04-02-2014 | BOWDOIN WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPACT | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 07-30-2015 | CHARLES M. RUSSELL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE MONTANA COMPACT | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 06-09-2022 | CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES COMPACT | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 12-21-2012 | CROW COMPACT | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 05-19-2008 | FOREST SERVICE MONTANA COMPACT | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 08-21-2014 | FORT KEOGH LRRL MONTANA COMPACT | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 10-30-2011 | FWS NATIONAL BISON RANGE COMPACT | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 09-24-2015 | UPPER MISSOURI RIVER BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT COMPACT | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 08-21-2014 | US SHEEP EXPERIMENT STATION COMPACT | ||
| FINAL | 07-12-2021 | TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OFCHIPPEWA INDIANS | ||
| PRELIMINARY | 10-28-2016 | TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OFCHIPPEWA INDIANS | ||
| 38H | FINAL | 03-27-1984 | BELLE FOURCHE RIVER,ABOVE CHEYENNE RIVER | |
| 39E | FINAL | 12-19-2024 | BOX ELDER CREEK | |
| 39E | PRELIMINARY | 02-05-2020 | BOX ELDER CREEK | |
| 39E | TEMPORARY | 02-01-1985 | BOX ELDER CREEK | |
| 39F | INTERLOCUTORY | 07-27-2023 | LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER, ABOVE LITTLE BEAVER CREEK | |
| 39F | PRELIMINARY | 05-23-2019 | LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER, ABOVE LITTLE BEAVER CREEK | |
| 39F | TEMPORARY | 02-01-1985 | LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER, ABOVE LITTLE BEAVER CREEK | |
| 39FJ | FINAL | 05-23-2024 | LITTLE BEAVER CREEK | |
| 39FJ | INTERLOCUTORY | 09-22-2022 | LITTLE BEAVER CREEK | |
| 39FJ | PRELIMINARY | 11-01-2018 | LITTLE BEAVER CREEK | |
| 39FJ | TEMPORARY | 01-31-1985 | LITTLE BEAVER CREEK | |
| 39G | FINAL | 12-19-2024 | BEAVER CREEK, TRIBUTARY OF LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER | |
| 39G | INTERLOCUTORY | 11-02-2022 | BEAVER CREEK, TRIBUTARY OF LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER | |
| 39G | PRELIMINARY #2 |
12-19-2018 | BEAVER CREEK, TRIBUTARY OF LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER | |
| 39G | PRELIMINARY #1 | 01-18-1985 | BEAVER CREEK, TRIBUTARY OF LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER | |
| 39H | FINAL | 03-27-1984 | LITTLE MISSOURI, BELOWLITTLE BEAVER CREEK | |
| 40A | PRELIMINARY | 06-07-2017 | MUSSELSHELL RIVER, ABOVE ROUNDUP | |
| 40A | TEMPORARY | 05-07-1985 | MUSSELSHELL RIVER, ABOVE ROUNDUP | |
| 40B | PRELIMINARY | 05-05-2011 | FLATWILLOW CREEK, INCLUDINGBOX ELDER CREEK | |
| 40C | PRELIMINARY | 06-07-2017 | MUSSELSHELL RIVER, BELOW ROUNDUP | |
| 40C | TEMPORARY | 02-06-1990 | MUSSELSHELL RIVER, BELOW ROUNDUP | |
| 40D | PRELIMINARY #2 | 08-19-2020 | BIG DRY CREEK | |
| 40D | PRELIMINARY #1 | 09-28-1984 | BIG DRY CREEK | |
| 40E | PRELIMINARY | 10-07-2020 | MISSOURI RIVER, BETWEEN MUSSELSHELL RIVER AND FORT PECK DAM | |
| 40E | TEMPORARY | 03-07-1985 | MISSOURI RIVER, BETWEEN MUSSELSHELL RIVER AND FORT PECK DAM | |
| 40EJ | PRELIMINARY | 04-25-2014 | MISSOURI RIVER, BETWEEN BULLWHACKER CREEK AND MUSSELSHELL RIVERS | |
| 40F | INTERLOCUTORY | 07-13-2022 | MILK RIVER, ABOVE FRESNO RESERVOIR | |
| 40F | PRELIMINARY | 12-12-2013 | MILK RIVER, ABOVE FRESNO RESERVOIR | |
| 40G | FINAL | 11-8-2024 | SAGE CREEK | |
| 40G | INTERLOCUTORY | 03-23-2022 | SAGE CREEK | |
| 40G | PRELIMINARY #2 | 04-11-2019 | SAGE CREEK | |
| 40G | PRELIMINARY #1 | 12-20-1983 | SAGE CREEK | |
| 40H | FINAL | 10-28-2021 | BIG SANDY CREEK | |
| 40H | INTERLOCUTORY | 06-17-2020 | BIG SANDY CREEK | |
| 40H | PRELIMINARY | 01-22-2003 | BIG SANDY CREEK | |
| 40I | PRELIMINARY | 06-20-2013 | PEOPLES CREEK | |
| 40J | PRELIMINARY | 06-24-2010 | MILK RIVER, BETWEEN FRESNO RESERVOIR AND WHITEWATER CREEK | |
| 40K | INTERLOCUTORY | 08-02-2023 | WHITEWATER CREEK | |
| 40K | PRELIMINARY | 03-07-2019 | WHITEWATER CREEK | |
| 40K | TEMPORARY | 11-21-1989 | WHITEWATER CREEK | |
| 40L | PRELIMINARY | 10-26-2017 | FRENCHMAN CREEK | |
| 40L | TEMPORARY | 01-16-1985 | FRENCHMAN CREEK | |
| 40M | PRELIMINARY | 03-20-2009 | BEAVER CREEK, TRIBUTARY OFMILK RIVER | |
| 40N | PRELIMINARY #2 | 06-17-2020 | ROCK CREEK, TRIBUTARY OF MILK RIVER | |
| 40N | PRELIMINARY #1 | 08-13-1985 | ROCK CREEK, TRIBUTARY OF MILK RIVER | |
| 40O | INTERLOCUTORY | 01-11-2024 | MILK RIVER, BELOW WHITEWATER INCLUDING PORCUPINE CREEK | |
| 40O | PRELIMINARY | 05-24-1995 | MILK RIVER, BELOW WHITEWATER INCLUDING PORCUPINE CREEK | |
| 40P | FINAL | 05-22-1985 | REDWATER RIVER | |
| 40Q | SUPPLEMENTAL INTERLOCUTORY DECREE | 06-15-2023 | POPLAR RIVER | |
| 40Q | FINAL | 12/22/2022 | POPLAR RIVER | |
| 40Q | INTERLOCUTORY | 01-14-2021 | POPLAR RIVER | |
| 40Q | PRELIMINARY | 12-29-1999 | POPLAR RIVER | |
| 40R | FINAL | 12-22-2022 | BIG MUDDY CREEK | |
| 40R | INTERLOCUTORY | 12-30-2020 | BIG MUDDY CREEK | |
| 40R | PRELIMINARY | 01-28-2010 | BIG MUDDY CREEK | |
| 40S | INTERLOCUTORY | 07-20-2023 | MISSOURI RIVER, BELOW FORT PECK DAM | |
| 40S | PRELIMINARY | 12-29-1999 | MISSOURI RIVER, BELOW FORT PECK DAM | |
| 40T | INTERLOCUTORY | 03-17-2022 | ST. MARY RIVER | |
| 40T | PRELIMINARY | 06-25-2014 | ST. MARY RIVER | |
| 41A | INTERLOCUTORY | 01-31-2025 | RED ROCK RIVER | |
| 41A | PRELIMINARY | 05-09-2013 | RED ROCK RIVER | |
| 41B | INTERLOCUTORY | 01-31-2025 | BEAVERHEAD RIVER | |
| 41B | PRELIMINARY | 05-09-2013 | BEAVERHEAD RIVER | |
| 41C | PRELIMINARY | 06-25-2025 | RUBY RIVER | |
| 41C | TEMPORARY | 11-14-1990 | RUBY RIVER | |
| 41D | TEMPORARY | 04-06-2007 | BIG HOLE RIVER | |
| 41E | PRELIMINARY | 10-19-2022 | BOULDER RIVER, TRIBUTARY OF JEFFERSON RIVER | |
| 41E | TEMPORARY | 06-20-1985 | BOULDER RIVER, TRIBUTARY OF JEFFERSON RIVER | |
| 41F | PRELIMINARY | 07-26-2023 | MADISON RIVER | |
| 41F | TEMPORARY | 07-25-1984 | MADISON RIVER | |
| 41G | PRELIMINARY | 02-15-2018 | JEFFERSON RIVER | |
| 41G | TEMPORARY | 10-17-1989 | JEFFERSON RIVER | |
| 41H | PRELIMINARY | 10-11-2018 | GALLATIN RIVER | |
| 41H | TEMPORARY | 09-26-1985 | GALLATIN RIVER | |
| 41I | PRELIMINARY | 06-24-2022 | MISSOURI RIVER, ABOVE HOLTER DAM | |
| 41I | TEMPORARY | 03-08-1995 | MISSOURI RIVER, ABOVE HOLTER DAM | |
| 41J | INTERLOCUTORY | 09-11-2024 | SMITH RIVER | |
| 41J | PRELIMINARY | 12-16-2010 | SMITH RIVER | |
| 41K | PRELIMINARY | 01-28-2021 | SUN RIVER | |
| 41K | TEMPORARY | 05-14-1985 | SUN RIVER | |
| 41L | INTERLOCUTORY | 09-02-2021 | CUT BANK CREEK | |
| 41L | PRELIMINARY | 10-08-2015 | CUT BANK CREEK | |
| 41M | INTERLOCUTORY | 07-28-2023 | TWO MEDICINE RIVER | |
| 41M | PRELIMINARY | 03-20-2015 | TWO MEDICINE RIVER | |
| 41N | INTERLOCUTORY | 11-10-2022 | WILLOW CREEK | |
| 41N | PRELIMINARY #2 | 03-29-2018 | WILLOW CREEK | |
| 41N | PRELIMINARY #1 | 07-06-1984 | WILLOW CREEK | |
| 41O | INTERLOCUTORY | 01-17-2025 | TETON RIVER | |
| 41O | TEMPORARY | 12-29-2005 | TETON RIVER | |
| 41P | PRELIMINARY | 04-23-2015 | MARIAS RIVER | |
| 41Q | INTERLOCUTORY | 09-30-2021 | MISSOURI RIVER, FROM SUN TOMARIAS RIVER | |
| 41Q | PRELIMINARY | 05-27-2010 | MISSOURI RIVER, FROM SUN TOMARIAS RIVER | |
| 41QJ | TEMPORARY | 02-06-2008 | MISSOURI RIVER, FROM HOLTER DAM TO SUN RIVER | |
| 41R | PRELIMINARY | 06-23-2011 | ARROW CREEK | |
| 41S | PRELIMINARY | 08-18-2022 | JUDITH RIVER | |
| 41S | TEMPORARY | 05-17-1984 | JUDITH RIVER | |
| 41T | PRELIMINARY | 04-19-2012 | MISSOURI RIVER, FROM MARIAS RIVER TO AND INCLUDING BULLWHACKER CREEK | |
| 41U | PRELIMINARY | 12-16-2021 | DEARBORN RIVER | |
| 41U | TEMPORARY | 05-10-1984 | DEARBORN RIVER | |
| 42A | INTERLOCUTORY | 02-24-2022 | ROSEBUD CREEK | |
| 42A | PRELIMINARY | 05-23-2013 | ROSEBUD CREEK | |
| 42B | INTERLOCUTORY | 01-12-2022 | TONGUE RIVER, ABOVE AND INCLUDING HANGING WOMAN CREEK | |
| 42B | PRELIMINARY | 02-28-2008 | TONGUE RIVER, ABOVE AND INCLUDING HANGING WOMAN CREEK | |
| 42C | INTERLOCUTORY | 10-11-2023 | TONGUE RIVER, BELOW HANGING WOMAN CREEK | |
| 42C | PRELIMINARY | 02-28-2008 | TONGUE RIVER, BELOW HANGING WOMAN CREEK | |
| 42I 42J | FINAL | 05-31-1983 | LITTLE POWDER RIVER POWDER RIVER, BELOW CLEAR CREEK | |
| 42K | SECOND PRELIMINARY | 05-08-2025 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, BETWEENTONGUE AND POWDER RIVERS | |
| 42K | PRELIMINARY | 09-19-1985 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, BETWEENTONGUE AND POWDER RIVERS | |
| 42KJ | TEMPORARY | 11-14-2003 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, BETWEEN BIGHORN AND TONGUE RIVERS | |
| 42L | FINAL | 04-17-1985 | O'FALLON CREEK | |
| 42M | FINAL | 12-30-2024 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, BELOW POWDER RIVER | |
| 42M | INTERLOCUTORY | 08-17-2022 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, BELOW POWDER RIVER | |
| 42M | PRELIMINARY | 01-24-2014 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, BELOW POWDER RIVER | |
| 43A | PRELIMINARY | 02-14-2019 | SHIELDS RIVER | |
| 43A | TEMPORARY | 08-03-1988 | SHIELDS RIVER | |
| 43B | PRELIMINARY | 05-09-2019 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, ABOVE AND INCLUDING BRIDGER CREEK | |
| 43B | TEMPORARY | 01-16-1985 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, ABOVE AND INCLUDING BRIDGER CREEK | |
| 43BJ | TEMPORARY | 04-03-1985 | BOULDER RIVER, TRIBUTARY OF YELLOWSTONE RIVER | |
| 43BV | PRELIMINARY | 05-27-2021 | SWEET GRASS CREEK | |
| 43BV | TEMPORARY | 12-19-1984 | SWEET GRASS CREEK | |
| 43C | PRELIMINARY | 06-18-2025 | STILLWATER RIVER | |
| 43C | TEMPORARY | 11-07-1985 | STILLWATER RIVER | |
| 43D | PRELIMINARY | 04-07-2017 | CLARKS FORK YELLOWSTONE RIVER | |
| 43D | TEMPORARY | 06-09-1993 | CLARKS FORK YELLOWSTONE RIVER | |
| 43E | FINAL | 12-05-2024 | PRYOR CREEK | |
| 43E | INTERLOCUTORY | 02-23-2022 | PRYOR CREEK | |
| 43E | PRELIMINARY | 02-25-2010 | PRYOR CREEK | |
| 43N | INTERLOCUTORY | 09-12-2024 | SHOSHONE RIVER | |
| 43N | PRELIMINARY | 06-13-2013 | SHOSHONE RIVER | |
| 43O | INTERLOCUTORY | 07-21-2023 | LITTLE BIGHORN RIVER | |
| 43O | PRELIMINARY | 03-25-2010 | LITTLE BIGHORN RIVER | |
| 43P | INTERLOCUTORY | 07-21-2023 | BIGHORN RIVER, BELOW GREYBULL RIVER | |
| 43P | PRELIMINARY | 01-25-2016 | BIGHORN RIVER, BELOW GREYBULL RIVER | |
| 43Q | TEMPORARY | 12-29-1998 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, BETWEENCLARKS FORK YELLOWSTONE AND BIGHORN RIVER | |
| 43QJ | PRELIMINARY | 09-25-2024 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, FROM BRIDGER CREEK TO CLARKS FORK YELLOWSTONE | |
| 43QJ | PRELIMINARY | 07-23-1985 | YELLOWSTONE RIVER, FROM BRIDGER CREEK TO CLARKS FORK YELLOWSTONE | |
| 76B | TEMPORARY | 03-22-1984 | YAAK RIVER | |
| 76C | TEMPORARY | 02-28-1984 | FISHER RIVER | |
| 76D | PRELIMINARY | 05-06-2021 | KOOTENAI RIVER | |
| 76D | TEMPORARY | 03-22-1984 | KOOTENAI RIVER | |
| 76E | PRELIMINARY | 05-10-2018 | ROCK CREEK, TRIBUTARY OF CLARK FORK RIVER | |
| 76E | TEMPORARY | 03-29-1984 | ROCK CREEK, TRIBUTARY OF CLARK FORK RIVER | |
| 76F | PRELIMINARY | 02-10-2011 | BLACKFOOT RIVER | |
| 76FA | TEMPORARY | 03-10-2006 | UNION CREEK | |
| 76G | PRELIMINARY | 11-14-2024 | CLARK FORK, ABOVE BLACKFOOT RIVER | |
| 76G | TEMPORARY | 05-17-1985 | CLARK FORK, ABOVE BLACKFOOT RIVER | |
| 76GJ | PRELIMINARY | 05-19-2016 | FLINT CREEK | |
| 76GJ | TEMPORARY | 03-29-1984 | FLINT CREEK | |
| 76H | sub-basins: | ------ | BITTERROOT RIVER | |
| 76HA | PRELIMINARY | 12-04-2015 | BITTERROOT RIVER, MAIN STEM | |
| 76HB | TEMPORARY | 09-16-1992 | BITTERROOT RIVER, NORTH END | |
| 76HE | TEMPORARY | 05-25-1994 | BITTERROOT RIVER, SOUTH END | |
| 76HF | PRELIMINARY | 01-14-1998 | BITTERROOT RIVER, WEST SIDE | |
| 76I | PRELIMINARY | 12-06-2024 | FLATHEAD RIVER, MIDDLE FORK | |
| 76I | TEMPORARY | 08-09-1984 | FLATHEAD RIVER, MIDDLE FORK | |
| 76J | INTERLOCUTORY | 12-06-2024 | FLATHEAD RIVER, SOUTH FORK | |
| 76J | PRELIMINARY | 11-29-2018 | FLATHEAD RIVER, SOUTH FORK | |
| 76J | TEMPORARY | 08-09-1984 | FLATHEAD RIVER, SOUTH FORK | |
| 76K | TEMPORARY | 08-09-1984 | SWAN RIVER | |
| 76L | PRELIMINARY | 05-02-2025 | FLATHEAD RIVER, BELOW FLATHEAD LAKE | |
| 76LJ | PRELIMINARY | 02-21-2025 | FLATHEAD RIVER, TO AND INCLUDING FLATHEAD LAKE | |
| 76LJ | ------ | ------ | FLATHEAD RIVER, TO AND INCLUDING FLATHEAD LAKE | |
| 76M | PRELIMINARY | 10-09-2024 | CLARK FORK, BETWEEN BLACKFOOT AND FLATHEAD RIVERS | |
| 76M | TEMPORARY | 11-29-1984 | CLARK FORK, BETWEEN BLACKFOOT AND FLATHEAD RIVERS | |
| 76N | PRELIMINARY | 09-21-2023 | CLARK FORK, BELOW FLATHEAD RIVER | |
| 76N | TEMPORARY | 02-28-1984 | CLARK FORK, BELOW FLATHEAD RIVER |