Independently reported news stories of Montana's people, land, water and wildlife.
Montana’s snowpack is the best it’s been in a handful of years, so most streams should flow nicely even through August.
May’s snowpack is what sustains the state’s streams through most of the summer, and this year, it’s above normal and half again what it was last year, according to measurements made by the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Read MoreChristmas snow was the gift Montana needed to possibly avoid drought this summer.
This water year – which runs from October to September – reinforced the trend being caused by climate change: winter weather comes later each year. Snow didn’t begin piling up until one to three weeks later than normal, according to the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service January Water Supply Report.
Read MoreSome areas along the High Line might be flush with water, but much of Montana is suffering from drought. Next year may not get any better, so the state wants to improve its drought plan.
On Thursday, the Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee heard all the ways the dog days of summer are worsening Montana’s drought and how it’s affecting the state’s wildlife and agriculture.
Read MoreRecord warm temperatures in April when the last of winter’s snow should have been falling mean Montana’s streamflows will drop early again this year, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The May 1 Water Supply Outlook is usually the best predictor of how Montana’s snow pack looks heading into the summer, and despite hopes in early April, the outlook doesn’t look good.
Read MoreThe 2015 water year has ended, and the next has begun, but neither look good for Montana’s water supply.
On Thursday, the Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory Council heard the details of the toll that this hot summer took on water in most of the state. The implications for next year are bad, because the forecast is for a hot, dry winter.
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