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New Appropriations Program
The Montana Water Use Act of 1973, administered by the DNRC, established a permit system for new uses of water and for changes to existing water rights. Any person planning a new or expanded development for a beneficial use of water from surface water or ground water after June 30, 1973, must obtain a permit to appropriate water or file a Notice of Completion of Ground Water Development to get a Certificate of Water Right. Additionally, if a proposed project will result in a change to the point of diversion, place of use, purpose of use, or place of storage, a water right owner must obtain a change authorization before work begins on the project.
There are basins and subbasins in Montana that have been "closed" to new appropriations because they have been deemed to be highly appropriated. There are some exceptions to these closures. For more information see Montana Water Basin Closures.
There are many controlled ground water areas in Montana as well. Some have been closed because of water availability problem, while others are because of water quality issues. For more information on these, click on the Montana Controlled Ground Water Areas link.
FormsForms to file a new well (602), replacement well notice (634), controlled ground water area petition and water measurement forms, etc
For Water Right Applications Received On or After 10-12-2012
New Appropriation Rules (New 10-12-2012)
For Water Right Applications Received Prior to 10-12-2012
New Appropriation Rules
 DNRC Rule Notices |
Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) |
| Montana Codes Annotated (MCA) |
| Received Water Right Applications |
| Pending Water Right Application Status |
| Public Notices and Preliminary Determinations |
| Water Right Environmental Assessments |
| Montana Water Basin Closures | |
| Montana Controlled Ground Water Areas | |
| Water Reservations | |
| Historic Consumptive Use Methodology | |
| IWR Weather Station Map | |
| Wetland FAQs | |
| Wetlands - A Suggested Means to Quantify a Wetland Water Right | |
| Hydrology Powerpoint Presentations | |
| Conversion from Flood to Sprinkler Water Supply Impacts | |
| Historic Consumptive Use Methodology | |
| Water Rights Re-Form Training - Historic Diverted Volume | |
| Climatic Area References | |
| Climatic Area Map - Aug 1986 | |
| Evaporation Standards | |
| Estimation of Evaporation from Shallow Ponds and Impoundments in Montana | |
| Pond Evaporation | |
| Stream Flow Estimation Techniques | |
| Index to Publications | |
| General Information | |
| Water Rights in Montana | |
| Water Right Dispute Options | |
| Water Resources Survey Books | |
| Water Resources Survey Atlas | |
| Verification Information | |
| Verification Procedures | |
| Verification Appendix | |
| Verification Exhibits | |
| Water Right Informational Brochures | |
| Water Rights in Montana FAQs | |
(PDF file links viewable with Acrobat Reader)
