Montana

Montana Water Supply Forecast Remains Grim – Flathead Beacon

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2024

Water supply specialists have pegged snowpack totals in the Flathead and Kootenai river basins at less than 70% of normal, which is significantly lower than this time last year even as the region has registered the most precipitation of anywhere else in Montana this winter.

That’s according to experts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which released its February Water Supply Outlook Report on Monday.

As of Feb. 1, the snow-water equivalent (SWE) in the Flathead River Basin was 66% of normal, while the Kootenai basin reached 67%. SWE, rather than snow depth, is the measurement used to gauge the amount of liquid water contained within snowpack which will be released when the snowpack melts, playing a key role in agriculture, hydropower production, water storage, aquatic ecosystem health and recreation such as boating and fishing, as well as flood and drought forecasting.

SWE reached 60% for the Bitterroot Basin, and remains at less than 50% for the Sun-Teton-Marias, Upper Missouri, and Upper Clark Fork Basins.

Eric Larson, water supply specialist for NRCS, said that while the Flathead and Kootenai basins received near-normal precipitation in January, it wasn’t enough to make up for deficits seen in the water supply since October, when the water year begins.

“Well above normal precipitation was needed to begin a recovery from lack of snow, yet precipitation was mostly below normal across Montana last month,” Larson said in a press release. “More than half of NRCS snow monitoring stations recently measured for Feb. 1 remain at either their lowest or second lowest snowpack on record.”

A graph showing snow water equivalent in the Flathead Basin, which is at a near-record low. Chart courtesy of USDA NRCS.

The Whitefish Mountain Range received a boost from a mid-January storm that dumped nearly 3 feet of snow at higher elevations — nearly doubling the region’s snow depth and bringing water-year-to-date precipitation in the Flathead basin up to 77%. However, Larson said that lower mountain elevations in the region are still experiencing a SWE deficit of 3 to 5 inches. Since snow falls at a roughly 10% density, upwards of 50 inches of snow is needed to attain normalcy. Upper mountain regions such as Glacier National Park need between 70 and 100 inches to reach normal levels.

Larson notes that, historically, years where specialists observe a relatively low Feb. 1 snowpack do not often see a recovery to normal. In 2003, 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2018, major weather changes that brought “well above normal” precipitation in February through April helped bring snow accumulation into the expected range.

“A three-month repeat like one of those years will be necessary to make gains by May 1,” Larson said. However, “to rely on record high precipitation isn’t ideal.”

Any region of the state that receives normal, or below-normal precipitation for the remainder of the winter will see correlated streamflows below normal during the spring and summer months, which could lead to a cascade of agricultural, recreational and economic impacts as seen last summer when Flathead Lake sat well below full-pool elevation.

“The good news is, a winter storm is on the horizon, which will hopefully add to the snowpack across Montana in the coming days,” Larson said.

According to the National Weather Service there is a 20-40 percent chance of snow for the Flathead Valley beginning on Wednesday and continuing through the weekend.

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Montana

Montana FWP seeking water rights for Rock Creek near Red Lodge

Published

2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

Montana FWP seeking water rights for Rock Creek near Red Lodge

CARBON COUNTY — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is working to acquire two senior water rights along the West Fork of Rock Creek near Red Lodge to address critically low water levels that are threatening the fish population.

The creek, which flows around the Red Lodge community, may appear full to casual observers, but wildlife officials say the flow is dangerously low for fish survival.

Watch FWP discuss the need for these water rights for Rock Creek:

Montana FWP seeking water rights for Rock Creek

“To have these water levels, it can have an impact on the fishery over there,” Chrissy Webb with Fish, Wildlife and Parks said. “Over the past few years, we’ve been seeing really low water levels for these trout, which is obviously a huge issue. Fish, of course, need water.”

The proposed solution involves purchasing two senior water rights that were previously used for irrigation and transferring them to remain in the stream for fishery protection.

“This would be water that was once diverted for irrigation. Those water rights would transfer to remain in the stream for the protection of this fishery,” Webb said.

Acquiring water rights is a complex process, but Webb emphasized the urgency of the situation. Without intervention, the fish population could decline quickly.

“We need water levels to be at a certain level for fish to survive. And we need water temperatures to be low enough for these trout to survive. And then, like I said, some places in Rock Creek have even experienced total dewatering of the stream bed,” Webb said.

FWP plans to purchase the water rights for $330,000. The process involves the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

“They’re working with the owner of those water rights to transfer their purpose from irrigation to being in stream flows,” Webb said.

The DNRC will ultimately decide whether FWP has the authority to purchase the water rights. The access to water would come from Giant Springs in Great Falls.

Michael Downey with the DNRC said mid to low elevation areas are particularly lacking adequate stream levels, but is confident they will rise as the year continues.

“If you look at where snowpack is right now, even those places that are below normal, certainly that Rock Creek drainage is probably the one in the area that looks worse than most,” Downey said.

On Feb. 12, the DNRC will decide if the FWP has the authority to purchase those water rights.

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Montana

Indiana lands commitment from Montana State transfer cornerback Carson Williams

Published

14 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Indiana lands commitment from Montana State transfer cornerback Carson Williams

Indiana football continued its reload in the secondary on Sunday with the commitment of Montana State transfer cornerback Carson Williams.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, Williams made his commitment to head coach Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers after a weekend visit to Indiana. Williams has three years of eligibility remaining.

MORE: Transfer Portal Thread | Indiana football transfer portal tracker | Indiana football’s transfer portal wish list: A position-by-position breakdown of 2026 needs

Williams, who hails from Houston, Texas, amassed 46 total tackles, eight pass breakups and 2.5 tackles for loss in 2025 with the Bobcats. He also forced and recovered a fumble this past season.

The 2025 season was Williams’ second at the college level after he redshirted in 2024 as a true freshman.

Entering this portal cycle, cornerback was a large question mark for the Hoosiers. D’Angelo Ponds could potentially leave early for the NFL Draft and depth corner Amariyun Knighten has already entered the portal, but outside of those two, Indiana returns everyone else at cornerback.

Williams now joins a 2026 cornerback room that features returners Jamari Sharpe, Ryland Gandy and Jaylen Bell, while Ponds’ decision on his future is expected to come following Indiana’s run in the College Football Playoff.

Williams is rated as the No. 795 overall transfer and the No. 91-ranked cornerback in the portal.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 10, 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

05-19-21-28-64, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

17-24-36-38-43, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

06-15-20-22-25, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

03-07-20-23, Bonus: 13

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

10-19-39-47-67, Powerball: 18

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

06-12-17-18-25

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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