BIG HOLE WATERSHED COMMITTEE

DIVIDE, Montana

Verified PWI Partner

Our Mission

The purpose of the Big Hole Watershed Committee is to seek understanding of the river and agreement among individuals and groups with diverse viewpoints on water use and management in the Big Hole watershed. The Big Hole Watershed Committee includes all interests that may be affected by water use and management in the Big Hole Watershed, and are willing to seek practical solutions that benefit all interests.

Who We Are

BHWC was formed when river levels began falling and was at risk of being labeled "chronically dewatered". At the same time the Arctic grayling was determined to be worth potential listing under the Endangered Species Act. These two pressures brought the community together to develop management measures and programs that have served as a model in Montana for grassroots collaborative resource management. We created the State's first Drought Management Plan, which continues today, adopted river recreation rules to prevent people from loving the river to death, and have developed millions in restoration projects that improve water quality and quantity, fish and wildlife habitat and people's livelihoods.