Water Resource Survey Books

The Montana Water Resources Survey is a comprehensive county by county assessment of Montana’s historical water use. This data was collected and published from 1943 thru 1965 by the State Engineers Office and from 1966 thru 1971 by the Water Conservation Board. Most published surveys consist primarily of two parts: Part I; a known historical account of water use in the county, and Part II; survey maps of current water use at the time of publishing.

The survey data was derived from courthouse records in conjunction with individual contacts with landowners, field investigations and aerial photography. Data collected from various other agencies and resources were also used.

The Montana Water Resources Survey is an excellent resource for various state and federal agencies, water users and the public. As the very nature of the prior appropriation doctrine is based on historical use, these surveys become an invaluable tool used in today’s efforts to adjudicate Montana’s water rights.

Water Resources Survey Publication Availability and Statistics

By County - View Field Notes

BEAVERHEAD: WRS No data available BIG HORN: WRS Published 1947 Part 1, Part 2 BLAINE: WRS Published 1967 BROADWATER: WRS Published 1956 CARBON: WRS Published 1946 Part 1, Part 2 CARBON: WRS Published 1966 CARBON: County Ground Water Inventory Published 1969 CARTER: WRS Published 1960 CASCADE: WRS Published 1961 CHOUTEAU: WRS Published 1964 CUSTER: WRS Published 1948 Part 1, Part 2 DANIELS: Original Historic Maps 1909-1913, County General Highway Map Overlays 1972 DAWSON: WRS Published 1970 DEER LODGE: WRS Published 1955 FALLON: WRS Published 1960 FERGUS: County Irrigation Area Maps 1970-1971 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5 FLATHEAD: WRS Published 1965 GALLATIN: WRS Published 1961 GARFIELD: County Projection Maps 1970 GLACIER: WRS Published 1969 GOLDEN VALLEY: WRS Published 1949 Part 1, Part 2 GOLDEN VALLEY: County Irrigation Area Maps 1971-1973 GRANITE: WRS Published 1959 HILL: WRS Published 1967 JEFFERSON: WRS Published 1956 JUDITH BASIN: WRS Published 1963 LAKE: WRS Published 1963 LEWIS and CLARK: WRS Published 1965 LIBERTY: WRS Published 1969 LINCOLN: WRS Published 1965 MADISON: WRS Published 1965 MCCONE: WRS Published 1971 MEAGHER: WRS Published 1950 Part 1, Part 2 MINERAL: WRS Published 1969	MISSOULA: WRS Published 1960 MUSSELSHELL: WRS Published 1949 Part 1, Part 2 MUSSELSHELL: County Irrigation Area Maps 1971-1973 PARK: WRS Published 1951 Part 1, Part 2 PETROLEUM: County Irrigation Area Maps 1971-1973 PHILLIPS: WRS Published 1968 PONDERA: WRS Published 1964 POWDER RIVER: WRS Published 1961 POWELL: WRS Published 1959 PRAIRIE: WRS Published 1970 RAVALLI: WRS Published 1965 RICHLAND: WRS Published 1971 ROOSEVELT: WRS No data available ROSEBUD: WRS Published 1948 Part 1, Part 2 ROSEBUD ARMELLS CREEK ROSEBUD CREEK 42A SANDERS: WRS Published 1969 SHERIDAN: WRS No data available SILVER BOW: WRS Published 1955 STILLWATER: WRS Published 1946 Part 1, Part 2 SWEET GRASS: WRS Published 1950 Part 1, Part 2 TETON: WRS Published 1962 Part 1, Part 2 TONGUE RIVER BASIN: TOOLE: WRS Published 1969 TREASURE: WRS Published 1951 VALLEY: WRS Published 1968 WHEATLAND: WRS Published 1949 Part 1, Part 2 WHEATLAND: County Drainages and Ditches Base Maps 1971-1973 WIBAUX: WRS Published 1960 YELLOWSTONE: County Irrigated Area Maps Published 1943 YELLOWSTONE: County Irrigation Districts Published 1943