Teton River Distribution Project: Fall Update

Teton River Distribution Project

The Teton River Distribution Project was created by 9th and 12th Judicial Districts Court for the 2017 irrigation season. Water users throughout the basin petitioned for the appointment of water commissioners in 2016. In its inaugural irrigation season, the project proved to be a success based on comments received from water users throughout the basin. Public meetings will be held in the October and November 2017 to address any and all issues that arise during the 2017 administrative effort.

This website is set up in a blog format. Chief Water Commissioner Peter Fritsch is authorized to post photos and comments on stream conditions, priority date cutoffs, etc. Water users may post questions to the blog that will be answered as quickly as possible. This website is an effort to create transparency and effective decision making on behalf of the Teton River Distribution Project.

Teton River Streamflow Quick Links
Upper Teton River USGS Realtime Gauge
Middle Teton River USGS Realtime Gauge
Lower Teton River USGS Realtime Gauge
Teton River Below Hwy 221 Realtime Gauge - Realtime
Teton River above Springhill Reach – Realtime

Deep Creek at Pishkun Bridge

Teton River at Buck Bridge

These last three gauges are updated manually by Aaron Fiaschetti on a weekly basis depending on his schedule.

Lower Spring Creek
Upper Spring Creek
Teton River below Hwy 287, above Deep Creek

Daily Average Streamflow Website

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Fall Update

Hello everyone! Peter Fritsch writing. Seems winter has arrived early with many areas seeing 6"of snow or more throughout the basin in the last 24hrs. Some locations near the front may see more than a foot!

I am sure most are aware of our final call in early September that lasted for less than a week. I won't go into much detail now. Suffice it to say, the call was lifted by the arrival of a significant fall rain event. The rain spelled a much needed end to a 90 day run of drought and above average temperatures throughout the basin.

First update relates to my involvement with the Teton River Distribution Project. I left the Montana Water Court and am no longer a Standing Water Master. Orders rescinding my appointment have been issued by Judge Olson and Judge Boucher.

Second update relates to my appointment as chief water commissioner in the Teton River Distribution Project. A petition was filed with the 9th & 12th Judicial District Court. The water users who signed the petition represent a significant majority of the water right interests in the basin. Both Judge Olson and Judge Boucher approved the appointment.

Third update relates to fall meetings for the Teton River Distribution Project. See the schedule below. Start times will be 6:30 and will run as long as needed.

Upper Teton River - Monday October 23rd - 6:30p at John Henry's backroom in Choteau
Lower Teton River - Tuesday October 24th - 630p at the Community Bible Church in Ft Benton
Spring Creek - Wednesday October 25th - 100p at the Choteau County Courthouse
Muddy Creek - Friday October 25th - 6:30p at Choteau County Annex Building
Deep Creek - Monday October 30th - 6:30p at John Henry's backroom in Choteau

Fourth update relates to a single basin wide meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 9th - 6:30pm at the Stage Stop Inn in Choteau, MT. I will have a draft petition for water users to review as of this meeting. I will try to make it available prior to the meeting, including posting it here in pdf form. The Teton River Watershed Group is facilitating this meeting and will have additional presentations. I will post an itinerary from Kevin Stone as soon as he provides me with one.