m

WATER RESOURCES SURVEY

LIBERTY AND TOOLE COUNTIES
MONTANA

Part I

History of Land and Water Use

on Irrigated Areas

M O N TA N A

I I COUNTIES NOT SURVEYED

Piiblislied by

MONTANA WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Helena, Montana

Tune, 1969

MONTANA WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Governor Forrest H. Anderson Chairman

Everett V. Darlinton. Director and Member

Wilbur White Vice Chairman and Secretary

Homer C. Bailey Member

Clyde Hawks Member

Everett Redeen ...Member

H. J. Sawtell Member

Hans L. BiUe Supervisor, Water Resources Survey

MONTANA STATE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

C. C. Bowman, Irrigation Engineer aud Consultant, Bozeman

3 HEPORTEH PRTG. a SUPPLY CO.

June, 1969

Honorable Forrest H. Anderson
Governor of Montana
Capitol Building
Helena, Montana

Dear Governor Anderson:

Submitted herewith is a consolidated report on a survey of Water Resources
for Liberty and Toole Counties, Montana.

The report is divided into two parts: Part I consists of history of land and
water use, irrigated lands, water rights, etc., and Part II contahas the township
maps in the County showing in colors the lands irrigated from each source or
canal system.

Surveys have been made m the counties of Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater,
Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Flathead, Gal-
latin, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark,
Liberty, Lincohi, Madison, Meagher, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, PliiUips, Pon-
dera, Powder River, Powell, RavalU, Rosebud, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass,
Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wibaux, Wheatland, and Yellowstone. Reports
are available for all of the counties except a few of tlie ones which were surveyed
a number of years ago and tliese are now out of print. However, reports will
again be published on these counties sometime in the future after they have been
updated.

The office files contain minute descriptions and details of each individual
water right and land use, which are too voluminous to be included herein. These
office files are available for inspection to those who are interested.

The historical data on water rights contained in these reports can never be-
come obsolete. If new information is added from time to time as new develop-
ments occur, tlie records can always be kept current and up-to-date.

Respectfully submitted,

E. V. DARLINTON, Director

Montana Water Resources Board

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A survey and study of water resources involves many phases of both field
and office work in order to gather the necessary data to make the information
complete and comprehensive. Appreciation of the splendid cooperation of vari-
ous agencies and individuals who gave their time and assistance in aiding us
in gadiering the data for the preparation of this report is hereby acknowledged.

UBERTY COUNTY OFFICIALS

John H. McDowell, Commissioner
Arlo Graham, Commissioner M. Sterhng Wardell, Commissioner

Mrs. Aileen Greiner, Clerk and Recorder
Darby O'Brien, Clerk of District Court Mrs. Edris Jensen, Assessor

TOOLE COUNTY OFHCIALS

H. E. Benjamin, Jr., Commissioner
Alton Wigen, Commissioner Robert Tomsheck, Commissioner

Mrs. Jeannette E. McDonald, Clerk and Recorder
Mrs, Vivian S. Hall, Clerk of District Court Mrs. PhyUis Dumon, Assessor

OTHER AGENCIES AND INDIVIDUALS

Robert G. Dunbar Professor of History, Montana State University

Dr. M. G. Burlingame Retired, Department Head of History,

Montana State University

R. A. Dightman - - Meteorologist in Charge,

U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Weather Bureau

Grant W. Buswell Office Engineer, U. S. Geological Survey

Charles W. Lane District Engineer, U. S. Geological Sui-vey

Uuno M. Sahinen -.Associate Director,

Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
and other members of the Bureau Staff

Arthur N. Whitney Fisheries Division Chief, Fish & Game Dept.

Roger R. FUger District Information Officer, Fi.sh & Game Dept.

Lany S. Brownell ...County Extension Agent, Liberty County

Robert R. Vollrath Work Unit Conservationist, S.C.S., Liberty County

Dennis J. Berkram County Extension Agent, Toole County

Orval F. Erwin- - Work Unit Conservationist, S.C.S., Toole County

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIBERTY AND TOOLE COUNTIES

FOREWORD Page

Surface Water 1

Groxind Water - -- 4

Method of Survey 7

LIBERTY COUNTY

PART I:

History of Land and Water Use on Irrigated Areas

History and Organization .— - 10

Climate ..- - -- - - - 11

Potential Irrigation Development - 14

Crops and Livestock - - 24

Stream Gaging Stations - 25

Dams and Reservoirs - - - 26

Groundwater - - 27

Economic Mineral Deposits - 34

Soil and Water Conservation Districts 35

Fish and Game - 37

Summary of Irrigated Land by River Basins

Counties Completed to Date 38

Liberty County 39

Water Right Data

Appropriations and Decrees by Streams 41

PART Hi

Maps Showing Irrigated Areas in Colors Designating Sources of Supply

Maps - - — - - .1-24

TABLE OF CONTENTS— (Continued)

TOOLE COUNTY

PART I:

History of Land and Water Use on Irrigated Areas

History and Organization __ _ _ - —. 2

Climate -- - _ -- 3

Potential Irrigation Development - 6

Crops and Livestock- - _ - - — 17

Stream Gaging Stations 19"

Dams and Reservoirs 20

Groundwater 21

Economic Mineral Deposits 29

Soil and Water Conservation Districts 30

Fish and Game _ .„ 32

Summary of Irrigated Land by River Basins

Counties Completed to Date - 34

Toole County 35

Water Right Data

Appropriations and Decrees by Streams — 38

PART II:

Maps Showing Irrigated Areas in Colors Designating Sources of Supply

Maps 1-31

FOREWORD

SURFACE WATER

Our concern over surface water rights in Montana is nearly a century old. When the first Territorial
Legislature, meeting in Bannack, adopted the common law of England on Januaiy 11, 1865, the
Territory's legal profession assumed that it had adopted the Doctrine of Riparian Rights. This doc-
trine had evolved in England and in the eastern United States where the annual rainfall is gener-
ally more than twenty inches. It gave the owners of land bordering a stream the right to liave that
stream flow past their land undiminished in quantity and unaltered in quahty and to use it for house-
hold and livestock purposes. The law restricted the use of water to ripaiian owners and forbade
them to reduce appreciably tlie stream flow, but the early miners and ranchers in Montana favored
the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation which permitted diversion and diminution of the streams. Con-
sequently, the next day the legislature enacted another law which permitted diversion by both ri-
parian and non-riparian owners. Whether or not this action provided Montana with one or two def-
initions of water rights was not settled until 1921 when the Montana Supreme Court in the Matt-
ler vs. Ames Realty case declared the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation to be the vahd Montana water
right law. "Our conclusion," it said, "is that the common law doctrine of riparian rights has never
prevailed in Montana since the enactment of the Bannack Statutes in 1865 and that it is unsuited to
the conditions here . . ."

The appropriation right which originated in California was used by the forty-niners to divert
water from the streams to placer mine gold. They applied to the water the same rules that they
applied to their mining claims — first in time, first in right and limitation of the right by beneficial
use. Those who came to Montana gulches brought widi them these rules, applying them to agricul-
ture as well as to mining.

Tlie main points of consideration under the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation are:

1. The use of water may be acquired by both riparian and non-riparian landowners.

2. It allows diversion of water regardless of the reduction of the water supply in the stream.

3. Tlie value of the right is determined by the priority of the appropriation; i.e., first in time is
first in right.

4. The right is hmited to the use of the water. Stream waters in Montana are the property of
the State and the approx)riator acquires only a right to their use. Moreover, this use must
be beneficial.

5. A right to the use of water is considered property only in the sense that it can be bouglii or
sold; its owner may not be deprived of it except by due process of law.

The State Legislature has provided methods for the acquisition, determination of priority and
administration of the right. No right may be acquired on a stream without diversion of water and
its application to a beneficial use. On unadjudicated streams, the Statutes stipulate that the diver-
sion must be preceded by posting a notice at a point of intended diversion and by filing a copy of
it within 20 days in the county clerk's office of the county in which the appropriation is being made.

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Construction of the means of diversion must begin within 40 days of the posting and continue with
reasonable diligence to completion. However, the Montana Supreme Court has ruled that an ap-
propriator who fails to comply with the Statutes may still acquire a right merely by digging a ditch
and putting the water to beneficial use.

To obtain a water right on an adjudicated stream one must petition the District Court having
jurisdiction over the stream for permission to make an appropriation. If the other appropriators
do not object, the court gives its consent and issues a supplementary decree granting the right sub-
ject to the rights of the prior appropriators.

Montana laws do not require water users to file official records of the completion of their ap-
propriations; therefore, it becomes advisable as soon as the demand for the waters of a stream be-
comes greater than its supply, to determine the rights and priorities of each user by means of an
adjudication or water right suit. This action may be initiated by one or more of the appropriators
who make all the other claimants parties to the suit, Tlie Judge of the District Court then examines
all of the claims and issues a decree establishing priority of the right of each water user and the
amount of water he is entitled to use. The court decree becomes in effect the deed of the appro-
priator to his water right.

Whenever scarcity of water in an adjudicated stream requires an allocation of the supply ac-
cording to the priority of rights, the Judge, upon petition of the owners of at least 15 percent of
the water rights affected, must appoint a water commissioner to distribute the water. Chapter No.
231, Montana Session Laws 1963, Senate Bill 55 amended Section 89-1001 R.C.M. 1947, to pro-
vide that a water commissioner be appointed to disbibute decreed water rights by application of fif-
teen percent {lb%) of the owners of the water rights affected, or, under certain circumstances at
the discretion of the Judge of the District Court — "provided that when petitioners make proper
shovTing they are not able to obtain the application of the owners of at least fifteen percent (15%)
of the water rights affected, and they are unable to obtain the water to which they ore entitled,
the Judge of the District Court having iurisdiction may, in his discretion, appoint a water com-
missioner." After the Commissioner has been appointed the Judge gives his instructions on how
the water is to be apportioned and distributed in accordance with the full terms of the decree.

The recording of appropriations in local courthouses provides an incomplete record of the water
rights on unadjudicated streams. In fact, the county records often bear httle relation to the exist-
ing situation. Since the law places no restriction on the number or extent of the fihngs which may
be made on an unadjudicated stream, the total amount of water claimed is frequently many times
tlie available flow. There are numerous examples of streams becoming over appropriated. Once
six appropriators each claimed all the water in Lyman Creek near Bozeman. Before the adjudica-
tion of claims to the waters of Prickly Pear Creek, 68 parties claimed thirty times its average flow
of about 50 cfs. Today, the Big Hole River wiHi an average flow of about 1,000 cfs. has filings
totahng 173,912 cfs. One is unable to distinguish in the county courthouses the perfected rights from
the unperfected ones since the law requires no official recording of the completion of an appro-
priation. Recognition by the courts of unrecorded appropriations adds to the incompleteness of
tliese records. To further complicate the situation, appropriators !ia\'c used different names for the
same stream in their fihngs. In Montana, many of the streams are found distributed in two or more
county courthouses. Anyone desirous of determining appropriations on a certain river or creek finds
it difficult and expensive to examine records in several places. In addition, the records are some-
times scattered because the original nine counties of 1865 have now increased to 56. As the orig-

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inal counties have been divided and subdivided, the water right fihngs have frequently not been
transcribed from the records of one county to the other. Thus, a record of an early appropriation
in what is at present Powell County may be found in the courthouse of the original Deer Lodge
County.

It can readily be seen that this system of recording offers little protection to rights in the use
of water until they are determined by adjudication. In other words, an appropriator does not gain
clear title to his water right until after adjudication, and then the title may not be clear because
the Montana system of determining rights is also faulty. In the first place, adjudications are costly,
sometimes extremely costly when they are prolonged for yeai'S. It is estimated that litigation over
the Beaverhead River, which has lasted more than twenty years, has cost the residents of the valley
nearly one-half million dollars. In the second place, unless the court seeks the advice of a competent
irrigation engineer, the adjudication may be based upon inacciurate evidence; in the tliird place, if
some claimant has been inadvertently left out of the action, the decree is not final and may be re-
opened for consideration by the aggrieved party. Another difficulty arises in determining the own-
ership of a water right when land under an adjudicated stream becomes subdivided in later years
and the water is not apportioned to the land by deed or otherwise. There is no provision made by
law requiring the recording of specific water right ownership on deeds and abstracts.

The Legislative Session of 1957 passed Chapter 114 providing for the policing of water released
from storage to be transmitted thrnugli a natural sh'eam bed to the place of use. The owner of the
storage must petition the court for the right to have the water policed from the storage reservoir
to his place of use. If there are no objections the court may issue the right imd appoint a water commis-
sioner to distribute the water in accordance therewith. This law applies only to unadjudicated
streams.

Administration of water on adjudicated streams is done by the District Court, but it has its
drawbacks. The appointment of a water commissioner is often delayed until the shortage of water
is acute and the court frequently finds it difficult to obtiiin a competent appointee for so tempor-
ary a position. The present administration of adjudicated streams which cross the county bound-
aries of judicial districts creates problems. Many of the water decrees stipulate head gates and mea-
suring devices for proper water distribution, but in many instances the stipulation is not enforced,
causing disagreement among water users.

Since a water right is considered property and may be bought and sold, the nature of water
requires certain limitations in its use. One of the major difficulties encountered after an adjudication of
a sti-eam is the failure of the District Court to have control over the transfer of water rights from their
designated places of use. The sale and leasing of water is becoming a common practice on many adju-
dicated streams and has created serious complications. By changing the water use to a different
location, many of the remaining rights along the stream are disrupted, resulting in a complete break-
down of the purpose intended by the adjudication. Legal action necessary to correct this situation
must be initiated by the injured parties as it is their responsibility and not that of the court.

At one time or another all of the Western Reclamation States have used similar methods of lo-
cal regulation of water rights. Now all of them, except Montana, have more nr less abandoned these
practices and replaced them by a system of centralized state control such as the one adopted by
the State of Wyoming. The key characteristics of the Wyoming system are the registration of both
the initiation and completion of an appropriation in the State Engineer's Office, the determination

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of rights and administration by a State Board of Control headed by the State Engineer. These meth-
ods give the Wyoming water users title to the use of water as definite and defensible as those wliich
they have to their land.

When Montana began to negotiate the Yellowstone River Compact with Wyoming and North
Dakota in 1939, the need for some definite information concerning our water and its use became
appiu-ent. The Legislature in 1939 passed a bill (Ch. 185) authorizing the collection of data pertain-
ing to our uses of water and it is under this autliority that the Water Resources Survey is being
carried on. The purpose of this survey is; (1) to catalogue by counties in the office of the State En-
gineer, all recorded, appropriated, and decreed water rights including the use rights as tliey are
found; (2) to map the lands upon which the water is being used; (3) to provide the pubhc with
pertinent water right information on any stream, thereby assisting in any transaction involving water;
(4) to help State and Federal agencies m pertinent matters; (5) to eliminate unnecessary court action
in water right disputes; and (6) to have a complete inventory of our perfected water rights in case
of need to defend these rights against the encroacliments of lower states, or Wyoming or Canada.

GROUND WATER

Ground water and surface water are often intimately related. In fact, it is difficult in some
cases to consider one without the other. In times of heavy precipitation and surface nmoff, water
seeps below the land surface to recharge underground reservoirs wliich, in turn, discharge ground
water to streams and maintains their flow during dry periods. The amount of water stored under-
ground is far greater than the amount of surface water in Montana, and, without seepage from un-
derground soiu-ces it is probable that nearly all the streams in the state would cease to flow dur-
ing dry periods.

It is believed that Montana's ground water resources are vast and only partly developed. Yet,
this resource is now undergoing accelerated development as the need for its use increases and eco-
nomical energy for pumping becomes available. Continued rapid development without some regu-
lation of its use would cause a depletion of ground water in areas where the recharge is less than
the withdrawal. Experience in other states has shown that once excessive use of ground water in
a specific area has started, it is nearly impossible to stop, and may result in painful economic r&-
adjustments for the inhabitants of the affected area.

Practical steps aimed at conserving ground water resources as well as correcting related defici-
encies in surface water laws became necessary in Montana. Prior to the Legislative Session of
1961, there was no legal method of appropriating ground water. Proposed ground water codes were
introduced and rejected in four biennial sessions of the Montana Legislative Assembly — 1951, 1953,
1955, and 1959.

In 1961, during the 37th Legislative Session, a bill was introduced and passed creating a Ground
Water Code in Montana (Chapter 237, Revised Codes of Montana, 1961). This bill became effective
as a law on January 1, 1^2, with the State Engineer of Montana designated as "Administrator" to
carry out provisions of the Act. However, the 1965 Legislature abolished the office of the State En-
gineer and transferred his duties to the State Water Conservation Board, effective July 1, 1965. On
July 1, 1967, the name of the State Water Conservation Board was changed to the Montana Water
Resources Board. Therefore, the Montana Water Resources Board became the "Administrator" of this
Act.

_4_

Some of the important provisions contained in Montana's Ground Water Law are:
Section 1. Definitions or Regulations as Used in the Act.

(a) "Ground Water" means any fresh water under the surface of the land inckiding the water
under the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir, or other body of surface water. Fresh water shall be
deemed to be the water fit for domestic, livestock, or agricultural use. The Administrator, after a
notice of hearing, is authorized to fix definite standards for determining fresh water in any con-
trolled ground water area or sub-area of the State.

(b) "Aquifer" means any underground geological structure or formation which is capable of
yielding water or is capable of recharge.

(c) "Well" means any artificial opening or excavation in the ground, however made, by which
ground water can be obtained or through which it flows under natural pressures or is artificially
withdrawn.

(d) "Beneficial use" means any economically or socially justifiable witlidrawal or utilizations
of water.

(e) "Person" means any natural person, association, partnership, corporation, municipality, ir-
rigation district, the State of Montana, or any political sub-division or agency thereof, and the United
States or any agency thereof.

(f) "Administrator" means the Montana Water Resources Board of the State of Montana.

(g) "Ground Water Area" means an area which, as nearly as known facts permit, may be des-
ignated so as to enclose a single distinct body of ground water, which shall be described horizon-
tally by surface description in all cases and which may be Hmited vertically by describing known
geological formations, should conditions dictate this to be desirable. For purpose of administration,
large ground water areas may be divided into convenient administrative units known as "sub-areas."

Section 2. Right to Use.

Rights to surface water where the date of appropriation precedes January 1, 1962, shall take
priority over all prior or subsequent ground water rights. The application of ground water to a
beneficial use prior to January 1, 1962, is hereby recognized as a water right. Beneficial use shall be
the extent and limit of the appropriative right. As to appropriations of ground water completed on
and after January 1, 1962, any and all rights must be based upon the fihng provisions hereinafter
set forth, and as between all appropriators of surface or ground water on and after January 1, 1962,
the first in time is first in right.

Any ground water put to beneficial use after January 1, 1962, must be filed with the Gounty
Glerk and Recorder in the county where the ground water is withdrawn in order to establish a
right to use of the water.

Montana's Ground Water Code now provides for three different types of foims available for
filing water rights depending upon the nature of the ground water development. The old Form
No. 4 became invahd after January 1, 1966.

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Form No. 1 "Notice of Appropriation of Ground Worter" — shall require answers to such ques-
tions as (1) the name and address of the appropriator; (2) the beneficial use for which the appro-
priation is made, including a description of the lands to be benefited if for irrigation; (3) the rate
of use in gallons per minute of ground water claimed; (4) the annual period (inclusive dates) of
intended use; (5) the probable or intended date of first beneficial use; (6) the probable or intended
date of commencement and completion of the well or wells; (7) the location, type, size, and depth
of the well or wells contemplated; (8) the probable or estimated deptii of the water table or artesian
afjuifer; (9) the name, address, and license number of the diiller engaged; and (10) such other sim-
ilar information as may be useful in carrying out the policy of this Act. Tliis form is optional but
it has an advantage in that after filing the Notice of Appropriation, a person has 90 days in which
to commence actual excavation and diligently prosecute construction of the well. Otherwise, fail-
ure to file the Notice of Appropriation deprives the appropriator of his right to relate the date of
the appropriation back upon filing the Notice of Completion. (Form No. 2.)

Form No. 2 "Notice of Completion of Ground Water by Means of Well" — this form shall re-
quire answers to the same sort of (lucstions as refjuired by Form No. 1 (Notice of Appropriation of
Ground Water), except that for the most part it shall in(|uirc into accompHshed facts concerning the
well or means of withdrawal, including (a) information as to the static level of water in the casing
or the shut-in pressure if the well flows naturally; (b) the capacity of the well in gallons per minute
by pumping or natural flow; (c) the approximate drawdown or pumping level of the well; (d) the
approximate surface elevation at the well head; (e) the casing record of the well; (f) the drilling
log showing the character and thickness of all formations penetrated; (g) the depth to which the
well is drilled; and similar information.

It shall be the responsibility of the driller of eacli well to fill out the Form No. 2, "Notice of
Completion of Ground Water by Means of a Well," for the appropriator, and the latter shall be re-
sponsible for its filing.

Form No. 3 "Notice of Completion of Ground Water Appropriation Without a Well"^is for

the benefit of persons obtaining (or desiring to obtain) ground water without a well, such as by sub-
irrigation or other natural processes so as to enable such persons to describe the means of us-
ing ground water; to estimate the amount of water so used; and requiring such other information
pertinent to tliis particular type of ground water use.

Montana's Ground Water Code, as amended by the 1965 Legislature, provides for a period of
four (4) years after January 1. 1962. for filing on vested ground water rights (all ground water used
prior to January 1, 1962, from water wells, developed springs, drain ditches, sub-irrigation, etc.).
Therefore, the deadline was December 31, 1965. A person did not lose his vested ground water rights
by failure to file within the four-year period although, in the event of a future ground water dis-
pute, he may be called upon to prove his rights in court. If a person files now on ground water de-
veloped prior to January 1, 1962, liis date of priority becomes the date of filing, rather than the
date when the water was first used.

It shall be recognized that all persons who have filed a Water Well Log Form as provided for
under Section 1 and 2 of Chapter 58, Session Laws of Montana, 1957, shall be considered as having
compHed with the requirements of this Act.

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It is important to note that ground water law states, "Until a Notice of Completion (form #2
or #3) is filed with respect to ANY use oi ground water instituted AFTER January 1, 1962, NO right
to that use of water shall be recognized."

Copies of the forms used in filing on ground water are available in the County Clerk and
Recorder's Office in each of Montana's 56 counties. It shall be the duty of the County Clerk in
every instance to file the original copy of the county records; transmit the second copy to the Ad-
ministrator {Montana Water Resources Board); and the diird copy to the Montana Bureau of Mines
and Geology; and the fourtli copy to be retained by the appropriatar (person making die filing).

Accurate records and the amount of water available for future use are essential in the admin-
istration and investigation of water resources. In areas where the water supply becomes critical, the
giound water law provides that the administrator may define the boundaries of the aquifer and
employ inspectors to enforce mles and regulations regarding withdrawals for the purpose of safe-
guarding the water supply and the appropriators (see wording of the law for establishing a "con-
trolled area").

The filing of water right records in a central office under control of a responsible State agency,
provides the only efficient means for die orderly development and preservation of our water sup-
plies and it protects all of Montana's use — on both ground and surface water.

METHOD OF SURVEY

Water resources data contained in Part I and Part II of tliis report are obtained from court-
house records in conjunction with individual contacts with landowners. A survey of this type in-
volves extensive detailed work in both the office and field to compile a comprehensive inventory
of water rights as they apply to land and other uses.

The material of foremost importance used in conducting the survey is taken from the files
of the county courthouse and the data required includes: landownership, water right records (de-
crees and appropriations), articles of incorporation of ditch companies and any other legal papers
concerning the distribution and use of water. Deed records of landownership are reviewed and ab-
stracts are checked for water right infonnation when available.

Aerial photography is used by the survey to assure accuracy in mapping the land areas of
water use and all the other detailed information which appears on the final colored township maps
in Part II, Section and township locations are determined by the photogriunmetiic system, based
on government land office survey plats, plane-table surveys, county maps and by "on-the-spot" lo-
cation during the field survey. Noted on the photographs are the locations of each irrigation sys-
tem, with the irrigated and irrigable land areas defined. All the infonnation compiled on the aerial
photo is transfened and drawn onto a final base map by means of aerial projection. From the
base map, color separation maps are made and may include three to ten overlay separation plates,
depending on the number of irrigation systems within the townsMp.

Field forms are prepared for each land owner showing the name of the owner and operator,
photo index number, a plat defining the ownership boundary, type of irrigation system, source of
water supply and the total acreage irrigated and irrigable under each. All of the appropriated and

— 7 —

decreed water rights that apply to each ownersliip are listed on the field forms with the descrip-
tion of intended place of use. During the field survey, all water rights listed on the field form are
verified with the landowner. Whenever any doubt or comphcation exists in tlie use of a water right,
deed records of tlie land are checked to determine the absolute right and use.

So far as known, tliis is die first survey of its kind ever attempted in the United States. The
value of tlie work has become well substantiated in the counties completed to date by giving Montana
its first accurate and verified information concerning its water rights and their use. New development
of land for irrigation purposes by State and Federal agencies is not within the scope of this report.
The facts presented are foimd at the time of completion of each survey and provide the items and
figures from which a detailed analysis of water and land use can be made.

The historical data contained in these reports can never become obsolete. If new information
is added from time to time as new developments occur, the records can always be kept cuixent
and up-to-date.

Complete data obtained from tliis survey cannot be included in this report as it would make
tlie text too voluminous. However, if one should desire detailed information about any particular
water right, lands irrigated, or the number and amount of water rights diverting from any pardcu-
lar stream, such infonnation may be obtained by writing the Montana Water Resources Board
in Helena.

Every effort is being made to insure accuracy of the data collected rather than to speed up
the work which might invite errors.

WATER RESOURCES SURVEY

Liberty County, Montana

PART I

History of Land and Water Use
on Irrigated Areas

Published by

MONTANA WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Helena, Montana

lune, 1969

HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION

The first recorded visit of white men mto the aiea now included witliin the boundaries ot Lib-
erty County was tliat of Captain Lewis and party who traveled nordi from the great falls of the
Missouri River in July, 1806, their objective being tlie Marias River, discovered and named by the
explorer a year before.

After tlie Lewis & Clark Expedition came the fur traders and otlier iron-nerved adventurers
who further exploited tlie amicable relations with the Indians begun by tlie explorers, Lewis &
Clai'k. These men were more numerous, perhaps, along the Marias River where trade developed
more rapidly than in other sections of Montana because of the acceptance of tlie wliite men by the
Indians. But this "better" relationsliip was comparative only, and did not apply to each individual
Indian or to individual groups. Hair raising adventures, not all figurative, were frequent; and many
traders found their way to the pearly gates along this river, named, as it has been said, for the
girl of Lewis" dreams.

With the close of the fur trade era, the countr>- reverted to the Indians. If Captain Lewis could
have retmned 75 years later he would have found the countiy httle changed.

In 1874, when the international boundary survey was being made, some prospecting was car-
ried on in the Sweet Glass Hills for a short period of time. Some ten years later the interest in
mining was revived for a short time, then it again subsided. Incorporation of aU the territory north
of the Marias River in an Indian Reserve effectually barred the district from progressive whites
witli die result, that so far as development was concerned, the Liberty County area remained dor-
mant for a number of years.

It was along in the late 1880's when the reserve was finally opened, that actual development
began with stock outfits moving in along die Marias on Cottonwood Creek and on the streams of
the Sweet Grass Hills. This area, which is now Liberty County was ideal stock country — one big
plush pasture — that was held by stfKkmcn for 30 yeais, before an occasional homesteader's shack
heralded the dawn of a new era and the passing of the open range.

Agriculture is the principal industiy in Liberty County with over 90 percent of its land area active
in grain and cattle production. Some of the higliest protein spring and winter wheat is grown in
the county and grain buyers have paid up to l^f per Ijushel over and above the market price for
tliis high quality grain. In addition to wheat, some of the highest <iuality feed and malting bar-
ley is grown here. Most of the farms grow dryland grains with the average farm containing 2,842
acres. Strip and contour farming practices are utilized by the progressive fanners in Liberty County.

Since the discovery of natural gas in the Whitlash Field in 1918, the total value of oil and gas
produced in Liberty County up to December 31, 1967, is in excess of sixteen million dollars.

The two most important fields are Flat Coulee and Whitlash, and others are Bear's Den, Keith,
Grandview and Utopia. Further information on the petroleum industiy in Liberty County appears
in the Economic Mineral Resources section of this report.

The communities of Liberty County include Chester, the county seat, located 12 miles north
of the Tiber Reservoir on U. S. Highway No. 2. At Chester, an all-weather air^jort is maintained by
the county with surfaced runways that will accommodate planes of the DC-3 size fully loaded.

— 10 —

Other towns in the county are Joplin, located on U. S. Highway No. 2 and on the main line ot
the Great Nortliern Railway; Lothair, a small rural community, is located in the western part of
the county on U. S. Highway No. 2 and the Great Northern Railway; and Whitlash in the extreme
northwestern part near the Sweet Grass Hills area.

Tiber Dam constructed by the Bineau of Reclamation in 1956 provides recreation facihties and
a water supply to the town of Chester, as well as a potential source of water for irrigation of lands
along the Milk and Marias river drainages. Excellent fishing is found in tlie Tiber Re.servoir and
in tlie Marias River below the diun. Roadng and camping facilities are provided for along the
lake shore of the reservoir.

Means of transportation in the county consist of the main line of the Great Nortliern Railway
and U. S. Highway No. 2, both of which rim east and west across the county. Other facihties in-
clude the Intennountain Bus Lines, numerous truck lines and tlie county airport at Chester.

Liberty County was formed out of parts of Hill and Chouteau Coxmties on February 11, 1920.
The county is rectangular in shape, having a width of 24 miles from east to west and a lengtli of
60 miles from nortli to soutli. it has an area of 1,459 square miles and at the last census in 1960
supported a population of 2,624 residents. Located in the north-central part of Montana, Liberty
County is bounded on the north by Canada, on the east by Hill County, on the south by Chouteau
County and on the west by Toole and Pondera Counties.

CLIMATE

One of the counties adjoining the Canadian International Boundary, Liberty has a climate de-
pending to quite a degree on topography, although neither climate nor topography vaiy nearly as
much as in the more mountainous areas to the west. Ranging in elevation from nearly 7,000 ft. on
East Rutte of the Sweetgrass Hills, down to about 2,800 ft. where the Marias River flows into the
southwest tip of Hill County, elevation differences ;ire large enough to create local differences, and
the data for the three climatological stations appearing on the tables should be used with that in
mind. Mucli of the area is rolling hills, and di'ainage roughly is from northwest to southeast— ^al-
though there are many small-area exceptions. Sage Creek and the Marias River, with their tribu-
taries, are the primary drainages.

Roughly 100 miles east of the Continental Divide, the county is well within the east slope area
affected by the locally famous "chinook" wmd; otherwise tlie climate can safely be classed as a
continental type. Cold season "chinooks," when they start to blow, usually are accompanied by rapid
warming, often from near or below zero temperatures to near or above the 32° freezing point of
water. This wind phenomenon may be expected to occur at the end of almost every one of tlie half-
dozen or more cold waves which visit the area each winter, and may last for several days at a
time. Cold waves themselves seldom last for more than three days before tlie onset of a "cliinook."
This wind sometimes develops considerable strength; unofficial reports over the years have indi-
cated that gusts have approached 100 mph at times. But sustained speeds of more tlian 60 to 70
mph are rare.

Cold waves now (1968) do not present the problems they did a half century or more ago, with
modem communications, roads, equipment, etc., helping in many ways — but to the unwary or unpre-

— 11 —

pared they still have dangerous potential. Storms of otlier types occur at times: thunder, lightning
(sometimes with hail) are observed 20 to 30 days a year, mostly during tlie warmer months. Dam-
aging hail occurs somewhere in the county most years, but seldom is widespread. Tornadoes have
been observed, but infrequently, and those that have been seen have been quite small and caused
little damage. Flooding has occurred on a few occasions over the years, most recentiy when the
1964 flood gave trouble on the Maiias around Tiber Reservoir, and in 1967 when melting of a
snow accumulation produced high water on Sage Creek and tributaries on the slopes leading from
Sweetgrass Hills.

Warm and pleasant summers, witli most rain coming from afternoon showers and thunder-
showers, give way to the alternate cool and warm spells of fall beginning about raid-September,
and wintry storms may occur from mid-September until early May when the transition to summery
weather is quite rapid. Most seasons have much sunay weather. Extremely hot weather is rare, and op-
pressive combinations of heat and humidity do not occur. Even the few quite warm (95° or warm-
er) days that occur cool rather quickly near sunset, only rarely failing to reach 60° or cooler by sun-
rise. The freeze-free season in most of the county averages about 110 days (May 28 to September
15) but may range from as Httle as 90 days colder seasons to as much as 150 in an exceptionally
long season.

Precipitation varies somewhat across the county, with the wetter areas corresponding mostly
with the higher elevations of the northern half. A large proportion of tlie annual moisture, 80 to
85 percent, comes during the warmer half of the year, and snowfall averages only 20 to 30 inches
a year at the lower elevations, but perhaps twice that much — or more — on Sweetgrass Hills.

— 12 —

The attached listing of data for three county locations will be noted to represent only the south
half of the county; a new station 26 miles NNW of Chester, started late in 1964, indicates tliat pre-
cipitation is indeed heavier in the north half, but temperature differences may be small.

PRECIPITATION

Station

Years of
Record

Elevation

Yearly

Average

Total

Growing

Season

Average

Total

Percent
Falling

in

Growing

Season

Wettest
Year

Driest
Year

Chester

1943-1967

3,140

10.05

8.00

80

13.70

(1958)

7.16

(1944)

Jophn 1 N..

1953-1967

3,360

10.91

9.03

83

14.85
(1965)

6.13
(1961)

Tiber Dam.

1953-1967

2,850

9.99

8.24

82

13.17
(1964)

7.01
(1957)

TEMPERATURE

Station

Years of
Record

Elevation

Highest

and
Year of
Record

Lowest

and
Year of
Record

January
Average

July 2
Average

Annual
Average

Chester

1943-1967

3,140

105
(1961)

-57
(1950)

13.9

67.1

41.3

Joplin 1 N..

1954-1967

3,360

106
(1961)

-34
(1964)

13.9

67.5

40.9

Tiber Dam..

1953-1967

2,850

107
(1961)

-53
(1954)

16.6

69.3

44.0

— 13 —

POTENTIAL IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT

Glenn K. Smith, Soil Scientist

INTRODUCTION

Many factors determine the desirability of an area for irrigation development. The major ones are
soil, water, climate, and markets. The fhst tliree determine Uie capacity of an area to produce; all four
determine the kind of crops that might be grown and the monetary returns that might be expected.

Tliis ai-ticle is based on a long range projection wliich disregards the present available water
supply and market factors of irrigation development. The cHmate of the county is discussed in an-
other section of this publication.

The author reahzes tliat the presently inadequate water supply hinders any large scale u-rigation
in the major portion of Liberty County, however, the long time future agricultural needs may war-
rant dehvery of water from other sources than the local natural stream flows and reservoir storage.

The purpose of tlie land classification studies is to outhne the land areas that have a future
potential tor irrigated agriculture into the ultimate of year 2020. Technological advances in irriga-
tion are considered in tliis report and die slope and surface topography become less important, due
to the rapid expansion of sprinkler irrigation in the west.

The final test of the success of any irrigation project is the ability of the land to provide eco-
nomic benefits. It follows, tlierefore, that land for krigation should be selected to ensure that this
objective can be achieved. The areas outlined on the map accompanying tiiis report are only of a
generahzed reconnaissance type of land classification and any definite irrigation project planning
should be based on a detailed study.

The term irrigable land is defined as lands capable of being irrigated by gravity or sprinkler
methods of water apphcation; however, the land must have soil, topography and drainage features
which will withstand a sustained irrigated agriculture.

PHYSIOGRAPHIC FEATURES

Uberty County is located in the more shallow glacial diiit-covered porUon of the Great Plains.
The greater pait of tlie area is a high rolhng plain, characterized by broad glaciated divides sloping
gendy to Uie soudieast. The Sweet Grass HiUs rise several thousand feet above the plams m the
northwestern part and have a local influence on the drainage and climate. Ranging in elevation from
nearly 7,000 feet on East Butte of the Sweet Grass Hills, down to about 2,800 feet where tlie Man-
as River' flows into southwest Hill County, elevation differences are large enough to create local
differences m precipitation, soils, drainage and adaptable crops.

Erosion has not greaUy changed the surface feaUures of the glacial drift-covered area since the
time of glaciation, except along some of the more deeply enU'enched perennial streams and on die
more shallow drift-covered divides.

The glacial drift-covered plains have a rolling to billo^vy, hummocky topography, characterized
locally by shaUow lake depressions and low mounds and ridges. The deeper deposits of glacial drift

— 14 —

T-«^^^*_ I I I I I

R.4E

R.6E

R.7E

T 28N

T.33N

T.32N

T.3IN

T30N

T.29N

/'^-w*'

T. 28N

R.3E

R.4E

R.5E

R.6E

R.7E

POTENTIAL IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT
LIBERTY COUNTY

Reconnoissonce studies showing land
generally favorable for irrigation.

note: Londs ore mapped regardless of available
water supply.

occur on the ridges of the Sweet Grass Hills. The more stony moraine sections are found (1) on the
eastern slopes of the Sweet Grass Hills, and (2) on high divides betxveen the buttes. Very stony
tracts are found locally along some preglacial stream courses and on the crest of the higher divides
extending out from the Sweet Grass Hills.

Tlie Sweet Grass Hills area is rough and broken land with only a few scattered tracts of pres-
ently irrigated and potentially irrigable land within the area.

SURFACE DRAINAGE

Glaciation did not greatly influence the drainage of Liberty County. Tlie larger streams were
dammed and their valleys partly filled with glacial drift, but when the ice receded most of the streams
returned to their former courses. There is sufficient evidence to presume the presence of many miles
of buried valleys and stream channels under the Marias River flood plain and elsewhere that are filled
with glaciofluvial deposits. Tliese valleys are vestiges of preglacial and glacial drainage systems. The
pre-glacial drainage may aid in subdrainage of the glacial uplands by furnishing a vertical move-
ment downward of subsurface water.

Marias River Basin

The Marias River has a generally southeasterly course through Liberty Gounty. The river flows
on a sandy-gravelly bottom averaging 60 feet wide and during low water is from 1 to 2 feet deep.
The stream carries a large vohime of water during tlie spring runoff and again in May and June
wlien it is swollen by the seasonal rains and by melting snow on the high divides and mountains.
The valley area is subject to flooding, however, the occurrence of major floods do not prevent ir-
rigation beyond feasibihty of development, there are several farmer-pumping stations for tracts of
irrigated land which produce forage crops for livestock feed.

The intermittent streams, and coulees draining into tlie Marias River are entrenched in narrow
valleys and do not add appreciable acreages to the potential irrigable land of Liberty Gounty. The
majority of the county drains into small creeks of the Marias River Basin, the network of drainages
will furnish adequate outlets for necessary subsurface drains under an irrigated agriculture.

The two main drainage basins of the Marias River in Liberty County are Eagle Creek and Cot-
tonwood Creek. Eagle Creek heads on the southeastern slope of East Butte and flows almost due
south, emptying into the portion of Tiber Reservoir which was formerly the mouth of Willow Creek.
Cottonwood Creek flows from the southern slope of East Butte in a shghtly southeast direction and
empties into the Marias River in die southeastern part of the county. The streams are enclosed in
canyons and rough terrain within the mountains and foothills. The stream basins widen below the
rough mountainous regions with many smaller coulees draining into the existing channels. The flows
of these streams are very small, becoming nil during the dry summer months. Tlie natural drainage
ways of Eagle and Cottonwood Creeks would furnish adequate outlet systems for surface and sub-
surface drains of any future irrigation.

The southern porHon of Liberty County drains into Pondera, Basin and Dug Out Coulees which
are intermittent flows. The drainage basins have very little irrigable land and any expansion in flow
is very doubtful.

— 15 —

Milk River Basin

The areas north and east of the Sweet Grass Hills are drained by streams entering the Milk
River, which crosses the international line a short distance east of the Liberty-Hill County line. In
Liberty County the larger streams of the Milk River are Sage and Half Breed Creeks. The flows of
these streams are very small and at times aie nil.

Sage Creek heads on the northern slopes at East Butte and flows nortlieast as far as the mouth
of Laird Creek where it turns to the southeast and enters Hill County. Below the foothills the stream
and its intermittent branches are deeply entrenched in a gently rolHng shallow glacial drift-covered
section. The tributaries of Sage Creek head in the Sweet Crass Hills and flow through a high hum-
mocky ridge type terrain before meandering through the rolling glacial uplands. The valleys of these
streams are narrow and of scabby soils which are non-irrigable lands. The stream valleys and small
tributaries do furnish a beneficial network of natural wasteways for any future irrigation development.

Half Breed Creek is a small stream heading on the high morainic divide between East and West
Butte. This stream and other smaller tributaries contribute only small acreages of valley lands to the
potential irrigable area of Liberty County; any increase in flows due to future irrigation development
will be nil.

SOILS

The soils of Liberty County have been developed from glacial material deposited in the district
and can be divided according to the soil forming process from the material: (1) glacial soils formed
as a result of ice during the glacial period, (2) alluvial soils formed by streams during ancient and
recent times, (3) residual soils formed from material weathered from the geological formations.

The physiography, drainage, and geologic history influence deposition of materials and account
for many differences found in soils. Soil depth, texture, and acidity or alkahnity are directly related
within limits to the material from which the soil is formed.

The variations in the soils result from the alteration of geologic material, bv climate and living
organisms, especially plant growth. The length of time these factors have been active and the to-
pography is particularly influential in causing visible soil differences over short distances, often with-
in a few feet.

Glacial Soils

The major event in the geologic history that influenced the soils of Liberty County was contin-
ental glaciation. The Keewatin ice sheet which developed in central Canada during the Late Wis-
consin period of Glaciation spread over the greater pari of southern Alberta and northern Montana,
east of the main range of mountains. It covered the plains of Liberty County and extended well up
the slopes of the Sweet Grass Hills. This major event influenced the soils of the northern plains, the
sand, silt, clay, gravel, and boulders were picked up by the ice sheet which mixed them by crush-
ing and then redeposited the mixture known as glacial till. This mantle varies from less than one foot
to over 100 feet in thickness. Although the glacier mixed materials it had carried for long distances
with materials from underlying bedrock, in the main the largest percentage of till is of local origin;
this means it strongly reflects the nature of the underlying bedrock.

— 16 —

The till varies in permeability, depending on its chemical and physical composition. It varies in
salt content, and it varies in the amount of free carbonate it contains.

Till was deposited by a pushing action, and therefore natural cleavage lines rim vertically as
well as horizontally. Tlie permeability may vary considerably within short distances depending upon
the number of cleavage lines and also the variability of the composition. In general, there is down-
ward movement of excess water. Tliis water is held at the till-bedrock contact, and if the bedrock
dip is toward the natural drainage channels it eventually moves laterally and then out along the drain-
age channels.

The retreat of the glacial ice caused an abundance of water either in running streams or if en-
closed basins existed the water formed lakes. The coarser materials, sand and gravels, usually settled
out near the margins of ice; the fine materials silt, and clay, settled farther from the ice margins
and were often deposited in bodies of still water such as ponds and lakes.

Most of the potential irrigable lands of Liberty County are located in the glacial uplands and
ancient lake beds of the plains.

Tlie topography of the area varies from level to hilly— much of the hilly topograpliy occurs in the
northern part of the county and near the Sweet Grass Hills. Tlic acreages of potential irrigable land
are too small for consideration in this report.

The rolling to level topography occurs in the central portion of the county and dryland wheat is
being grown in the major portion of the area. Most of these areas can be divided into gently roll-
ing topography and relatively level terrain. Tlie topographic conditions have influenced the soils
forming process.

Tlie soils of the rolling terrain are shallower to glacial till, and have a definite high lime zone
which becomes shallower on the higher ridges. The only means of irrigation would be by sprinkler,
and then with limitations. Tlie limitations being a nenvork of tile drainage and with proper appli-
cation of water being applied to ensure leaching of salts. However, the amount of water apphed would
have to be sufficient to prevent salt accumulation in the root zone. The ordinary sprinkler heads would
have to be enlarged to increase water aonlication. Experiments perfoi-med in Canada showed salt
accumulation increasing in areas where too little amount of water is applied by sprinkling. Tlie amount
of water application is not known at this time, however, future experiments could determine the
proper practices to be followed. The undulating topography covers an estimated 285,300 acres of the
irrigable area of Liberty County.

A typical soil of the undulating glacial uplands is as follows:

Tlie soils are well drained, thin sohim Brown soils developed in friable loam to clay loam till.
Tliese soils when cultivated have a loam to clay loam "A" horizon which includes most of the "B"
horizon, a thin prismatic lower zone, and a distinct "C" horizon with segregated lime. Tlie weathered
soil material over till varies from 28" to 48" in depth,

— 17 —

Typical Soil Profile

0" - 5" Dark grayish brown loam to clay loam, moist, strong fine granular strncture; slightly
hard, very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; noncalcareous.

5" - 6)2" Dark grayish brown clay loam, moist, prismatic breaking to strong fine blocky struc-
ture; hard, friable, sticky and plastic; noncalcareous.

6}a" - 9" Dark grayish brown loam to clay loam, moist, moderate medium prismatic breaking
to a weak fine blocky structure; hard, friable, sticky and plastic; strong lime zone;
thin continuous clay films on vertical faces.

9" - 32" Dark grayish brown clay loam, m-)ist, weak medium and coarse prismatic structure;
hard, friable, sticky and plastic, high Hme.

32" - 60" Light brownish gray to olive grayish brown light clay loam till, extremely hard when
dry; firm, sticky and plastic when moist; slight Hme; mildly alkaline; with slight to
moderate soluble salts; numerous nests of gypsum.

The soils in the lower portion of the undulating topography have a tliicker solum over the "C" hori-
zon, and a darker brown color. The depth to till will average 48" to below 60". The areas occupied
by these deeper soils are not large enough to delineate separately.

The geologic formations of Liberty County include glacial lake deposits. The meltwater drained
into natural drainages and the sand, silt and day were moved by water and settled into the present
fans, terraces and slightly undulating glacial plains of the present time. Tlie soils consist of deep cal-
careous, predominantly silty clay loam sediments deposited as alluvium, and glacio-lacustrine materi-
al over the original bedrock. Tlic texture, structure, and depth of the material over bedrock varic;
and only the soils with adequate subsurface drainage are considered irrigable. The recent erosion
and formation of the soils of these areas have altered the flat topography into slight undulations
and minor drainage channels. Tlie two predominint irrigable soils can be illustrated by the follow-
ing typical soil profiles.

Profile A— These soils occupy the fans, terraces, and undulating to level glaciated plains.

0" - 7" Moist very dark grayish brown silty clay loam; moderate fine granular structure,
friable.

7" - 10" Dark brown moist heavy silty clay loam or light silty clay; strong medium prismatic
breaking to strong fine and very fine blocky structure, friable, sticky and plastic, thick
continuous clay films; nonealcai'eous; clear boundary.

10" - 14" Dark grayish brown light silty clay, moist, strong medium prismatic breaking to
strong medium and fine block structure; very hard, friable, sticky and plastic, thick
continuous clay films; noncalcareous; clear boundary.

14" - 18" Olive brown moist silty clay loam; strong medium prismatic structure separating to
moderate fine and medium blocks; friable, sticky and plastic; very thin discontinu-
ous clay films; calcareous, gradual boundary; 3" to 5" thick.

18" - 34" Ohve moist silty clay loam; moderate medium and coarse prismatic structure; very
friable, sticky and plastic; calcareous with soft hme nodules; diffused boundary; 12"
to 18" tliick.

— 18 —

34" - 60" Olive moist silty clay loam, with few thin strata of silt loam; massive structure; very
friable, sticky and plastic; calcareous.

The principal soil variations are that the materials below 30" may become more stratified or they
may consist of firm heavy clay loam till. The areas of clay loam till are continuous in some areas and
may cause questionable drainage.

There are large acreages of clay soils in Liberty County. The clay textured soils are generally not
considered too satisfactory for irrigation. The limit'n'^ factors are poor drainage and high salinity. The
exceptions are an approximate 37,400 irrigable acres of heavy textured soils occurring on upland
plains or on valley terraces with a high shiink-swell capacity which allows adequate drainage and ag-
gregation for irrigation. Large areas of these soils occur on terraces and uplands above the Marias
River and Tiber Reservoir.

A typical soil profile of the irrigable clay soil is as follows;

Profile B

0" - 6" Dark grayish brown moist clay; strong \'ery fine granular structure; granules friable,
sticky and very plastic; crust on surface 1/32" thick forms after hard rain; slightly
calcareous; abrupt boundary of cultivation.

6" - H" Dark grayish brown moist clay; structure of strong coarse blocks easily separated
to fine angular blocks; very hard, firm, sticky and very plastic; flat faces of blocks
have glossy appearance; tongues of dark grayish brown soil 1/8" to 1/2" thick form
fine geometric patterns on the horizontal surface just below the plow depth; slight-
ly calcareous, gradual boundary.

11" - 27" Dark grayish brown moist clay; structure of strong coarse blocks easily separated to
moderate very fine angular blocks; very hard, firm, sticky and very plastic; slicken-
sides with intersecting surface 20 to 40 degrees from liorizontal are very common
and have surfaces 6" to 10" in diameter observed in moist soil; shghtly calcareous;
clear smooth boundary. The "Al" horizon is 18" to 34" thick.

27" - 48" Very dark gray moist clay; structure of moderate very coarse prisms easily separat-
ing to moderate very fine granules; very hai'd, firm, sticky and very plastic; thick
large patches of organically stained clay films on some prism faces; small clusters
of gypsum crystals, slightly calcareous.

48" - 74" Very dark moist clay; structure of moderate very coarse prisms in which gray and
light gray very fine granules are distinct but held firmly in place; very hard, firm,
sticky and very plastic, tliick large patches of organically darkened clay films on
some prism faces; small clusters gypsum crystals slightly calcareous.

Clay is the dominant textiue of the Marias Series. Following hard rains on fallow ground, a thin
(approximately 1/4") fragile crust forms that does not bear handling and in which the form of gran-
ules are distinct. Clay plus silt ranges from 80 to 98 percent in all horizons between 8" to 30". Silt
laminations may occur in the clay below 30". Rounded and sub-angular stones, cobbles and gravel
comprise up to 10 percent in total volume of upper soil horizons in glaciated areas of this soil. In
these areas medium and coarser sands may comprise up to 10 percent of the soil less than 2 mm. in
size. Clay in the sub-soil horizons range from about 50 to 75 percent. Profiles aie shghtly or moder-
ately saline below depths of about 20".

— 19 —

Marias clays occur on upland plains or on valley terraces and the soils consist of thick clay ma-
terials. These clay materials have a liigh shrink-swell capacity. The clays are well drained; surface
runoff is medium; permeability is very slow in the wet soil and infiltration into the dry soil is me-
dium to rapid.

Compccrative Investigations

The development of large acreages of irrigated land in northern Montana has been in the exist-
ing stream valleys of recent alluvial soils. The small acreages of irrigated glacial soil do not furnish
an adequate basis for comparative studies to potential irrigable dryland areas. The glacial age did not
follow international boundaries and the southern portion of the Alberta Province of Canada is sim-
ilar in topography, soils, drainage and climate to Liberty County. The large irrigated areas near Leth-
bridge, Alberta, have glacial soils which are similar to the dryland areas of Liberty County. Tlie
glacial soils have been irrigated for 40 years in some areas. Tlie irrigated crops are sugar beets, al-
falfa, field and canning peas, sweet corn, potatoes, small grains and vegetables. In general the yields
of these crops are satisfactory and irrigation is a profitable agricultural enterprise.

The Soil Scientists of the Montana Water Resources Board reviewed the irrigation of glacial soils
of Canada with the Soil Science Section of the Canada Department of Agriculture Research Sta-
tion; and the Agrohydrology Branch of the Water Resomces Division, Alberta Department of Agri-
culture, both agencies are located in Lethbridgc, Alberta. Tlie main conclusion that was detennined
at the meeting was that tlie glaciated area of northern Montana compares more closely with irrigation
in southern Alberta tlian with other irrigated areas of the United States. Therefore, the future meth-
ods of potential irrigatitm, drainage, soil problems and future irrigated crops of Liberty County should
be similar to those practiced in southern Alberta.

The Soil Scientists and Agricultural Engineers at Letlibridge, Alberta, have accomphshed a large
quantity of useful research studies on irrigated areas within their boundaries. Several conclusions of
these studies can be applied to the north-central Montana area.

First, and most important is that proper planning and studies are necessary before irrigation
can prove itself as a profitable agricultural enterprise. The reconnaissance land classification survey
is considered only as a primary indication of an area's potential for future irrigation, and a compari-
son of other nearby proven irrigated areas will help determine the accuracy of predicting the poten-
tial of an area for irrigated agriculture. Second, the irrigated areas of Alberta, Canada, are similar
to the glacial plains of Liberty County, and by considering the characteristics of their soils, topog-
raphy and drainage features of irrigated lands the following conclusions emerge:

1. If the glacial plains of northern Montana were irrigated the area would be similar to
southern Alberta, however, both would differ from most of the world's irrigated areas in that the sur-
face ground is frozen tliree to five months of the year. During this period no water is being added but
sub-drainage may continue below the frost level.

2. The irrigation of soils underlain by glacial till is practical if adequate constructed drainage
is provided; however, the areas which the till is less tlian 36" from the ground surface are not irri-
gable due to excessive drainage costs.

3. The glacial soils underlain by till require careful water management, excessive irrigation is
not permissible due to the slow permeability of the sub-stratum. The farmers of Alberta do not use

— 20 —

excess water, the amount and frequency of rainfall is considered, and the crops are irrigated gen-
erally whenever 50 percent of the soil moisture has been depleted.

4. In the soils of the glacial plains of northern Montana and southern Alberta, Canada, the
evaporation and evapotranspiration during the year normally are less than most irrigated areas of the
United States and consetjuently tliere is less upward movements of salts. Therefore, if adequate drain-
age is maintained glacial soils can be irrigated and the crops can be successfully produced for many
years. Adequate drainage should be considered but it may be necessary to construct tile drainage
wirii a depth of tile at about 36", more or less, and 30 foot spacings between tile lines. It is under-
stood that this type of drainage system is costly, however, as the value of irrigated crops and land
increase in the future the high drainage costs may be acceptable.

5. The glacial soil underlain by till requires proper laboratory evaluation before irrigation.
Soil sampling is essential for this laboratory testing to determine the salinity, alkalinity, and per-
meability. The irrigated soils near Lethbridgc, Alberta, were tested and whenever the exchangeable
sodium (measured by the sodium adsorption ratio method) was greater than 12 the land generally
showed poor drainage, high alkalinity and restricted crop growth.

Sub-Surface Drainage

The drainage of shallow glacial till soil is the most critical item of consideration in irrigation
planning. The feasibility of irrigating an area depends upon adequate protective measures to keep
the crop production at a high level for a sustained irrigated agriculture. The absence of constructed
drainage will cause the water table to rise, and the salt from the soil and irrigation water to accu-
mulate within the root zone. Tlic construction of drainage, mainly tile drains, will prevent saliniza-
tion of the root zone. Research experiments in Canada proved that shallow tile drains at 36" depth,
and spacing as close as 30 feet apart may be needed to adequately drain the shallow till soils.

The detail studies of an irrigation project should include a drainage survey to determine the
costs of minimizing seepage and salinization of the soil. It should be remembered that soil which
has become seeped and high alkahnity and salinity results to the point where crop production is
curtailed is a waste of irrigated or dryland cultivated land.

Non-Irrigable Glacial Soils

The glaciated plains area of the county have large areas of soils developed over alkaline shaley
glacial-drifts that are characterized by irregular bare spots, also known as slick spots and blowouts.
Tlie larger areas of these soils occur southwest of Chester along the Hill County line and in the
southern portion of the county, generally south of the Marias River.

The alkaline bottoms of glacial lakes and some of the bottoms of the pre-glacial stream valleys
have scabby, slick spot soils. Tlie beneficial use of the alkaline slick spot soils are for dryland cul-
tivation and Hvestock grazing, depending upon the percentage of the surface-exposed shck spots.

The dryland cultivated areas of Liberty County cannot always be considered as irrigable land.
The heavy clay loam and clay glacial tills may have a high exchangeable sodium content, or a bulk
density in excess of 1.5 grams per centimeter which will not allow sufficient vertical or horizontal
movement of subsurface water to prevent seepage and high salinity build up in irrigated lands. Tliere

— 21 —

are large acreages of heavy clay loam and clay tills underlying the surface soils at a depth of 24"
to 48" which are beneficial for dryland cultivation and livestock grazing. However irrigation of these
areas is not recommended.

Residual S<nls

Tlie residual soils of Liberty County are di\idcd into two separate origins; the mountainous
non-glacial slopes of the Sweet Grass Hills, and tlie areas of sedimentary shales and sandstones in
the northern part of the area and along the Marias River.

The mountainous non-glacial slopes of the Sweet Grass Hills have stony loams at elevations above
4,500 to 5,000 feet. Portions of these slopes have shallow loamy, rocky soils developed over the par-
ent material of sandstones and shales. The size and extent of the residual soils are not significant
because of tlie intermixing of deeper soils of alluvial-colluvial origin. The beneficial use of the rocky
slopes generally is for livestock grazing.

The soils developed over sedimentary shales and sandstones are locally immature. These olive-
brown heavy clays are without distinct soil horizons and usually have the platy structure of the shales
below 1' to 3'. Beneficial use of the land is livestock grazing.

AHuvicd Soils

The Marias River Valley is the only source of large tracts of irrigable alluvial soils in the county.
In Liberty County there arc 1,180 acres of irrigable alluvial soils along the Marias River which flows
in a southeasterly direction in a deeply entrenched valley 1/2 to 1 mile in width. Although in general
appearance the valley floor is fairly level, it is very uneven in many places.

Recent deposits of alluvium have built up the land bordering the present stream course so that
it may be actually a few feet higher than some of the land farther away from the stream; old ox-
bows representing former channels of the river are filled with heavy textured soils and sometimes
are filled with water part of the year. These depressions plus the present meandering stream course
divide the irrigable land into very irregular areas which interfere somewhat with its use. Tlie allu-
vial deposits of the tributary streams cause non-irrigable rough gravel and shale debris areas which
are washed-in material overlying the original river terraces.

There are several areas of light to medium textured alluvial soils in the Marias Valley where ir-
rigated agriculture is proving profitable. Additional pumping plants are needed to enhance the agri-
cultural benefits of these tracts. The main limiting factor tliat should be considered in irrigation
planning is the general topography of the area adjacent to the river; the meandering stream channel
interferes with efficient inigation systems. The areas of irrigable land are therefore small and gener-
ally can be considered only for limited river-pump irrigation by individual farmers.

The majority of small streams of Liberty County head in the Sweet Grass Hills and flow through
narrow deeply entrenched valleys of the mountainous terrain, then broaden to an average width of
1/4 mile through the rolling uplands. The alluvial soils of these valleys have scabby land with slick
spots, high alkaline content and seeped areas; the most beneficial use of the soil in these valleys is
livestock grazing.

— 22 —

SUMMARY

The 1,459 square miles in Liberty County are basically utilized for dryland farming and live-
stock grazing which is the main adaptable agriculture for the "Triangle" area of northern Montana.
Wheat is the basic dryland crop and should remain so for some time. Irrigation would be very bene-
ficial to the economy, however, the Umited water supply hinders expansion. The ultimate develop-
ment of any large acreage of u-rigation would depend on importing water from anotlier area. The
reconnaissance studies of the land classification survey show approximately 410,180 acres being suit-
able for irrigation planning; a furtlier breakdown of the type of irrigation, either sprinkler or grav-
ity, was not attempted by this survey. Considering the generaUties of a reconnaissance study, it is
probable that detail studies would decrease this irrigable acreage as much as 40 percent in some in-
stances. It should be noted tliat any irrigation development would warrant a detail study of tlie soil,
topography and drainage for the purpose of evaluating the project area to withstand a sustained irri-
gated agriculture.

The glacial soils of tlie county are adaptable to irrigation development; a comparative area ot
large irrigated acreage is only a few miles nordi of the International Boundary, tliese are the irrigated
farms neai- Lethbridge, Alberta. The irrigated economy of the Ledibridge area is very productive;
the mam crops aie sugar beets, field and canning peas, alfalfa, potatoes, small grains, urigated pas-
ture, and sweet corn.

The local Federal and State Agricultural Agencies have available soil surveys, and experimental
information which help in determining areas for future irrigation and management of presently ir-
rigated lands within Liberty County. Contacting these Agencies will help individual fai'mers save
money and labor, and also conserve the land for future use.

References

Bowser, W. E., Peters. T. W., Kjearsgaard, A. A.; Soil Survey of eastern portion of St. Mary and Milk Rivers Develop-
ment Irrigation Project: Canada Dtpartment of Agriculture in co-operation with the Research Council of Alberta
and the University of Alberta, Edmonton; Alberta Soil Survey Report No. 11, 1963.

Committee of the Canada Department of Agriculture; Handbook for Classification of Irrigated Land in the Prairie Prov-
inces: Printed and distributed by Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, Regma, Saskatchewan. 1964.

Geiseker. L. F.; Montana Agricultural Experiment Station; Soil of Toole and Liberty Counties; Soil Reconnaissance of
Montana: Montana State Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin No. 273. April 1923.

Geiseker L F , and Morris, E. R., Montana Agricultural Experiment Station: Strahorn, A. T.. and Manifold, C. B.; Soil
Survey (Reconnaissance of the Northern Plains of Montana). United States Department of Agriculture Bulletin Scries
1929. Number 21.

Mancini, A. J.. Montana Water Resources Board: Groundwater, Water Resources Survey Liberty and Toole Counties;
Water Resources Board Publication, 1969.

Acknowledgmenls

Anderson. Arial, Area Soil Scientist. Soil Conservation Service. Chinook, Montana. Contribution of soil information and
field work in Liberty County, Montana, November 1968.

VoUrath, Robert R., Work Unit Conservationist, Soil Conservation Service, Chester, Montana. Contribution of informa-
tion and soil survey aerial photographs in Liberty County, Montana, November 1968.

Dr. MacKay. D. C, Head Soil Science Section: and Soil Scientist Staff: Canada Department of Agriculture, Research Sta-
tion, Lethbridge, Alberta. Contribution of research data and discussion of irrigated soils. Southern Portion of I rovince
Alberta. Canada, January 1969.

Steed. Glen L.. Branch Head: and Soil Scientist Staff, Alberta Department of Agriculture, Water Resources Division, Agro-
hydrology Branch. Lethbridge, Alberta. Contribution of research data and discussions on irrigated projects of the
Province of Alberta, Canada, January 1969.

— 23 —

CROPS AND LIVESTOCK

Liberty County, located in nortli-central Montana, is 24 miles wide and approximately 60 miles
long. The county covers an area ot approximately 1,459 square miles. The Sweetgrass Hills are
located in the northern portion of the county along tlie Canadian Border and are primarily used
as a range Uvestock area. Covering an area of 933,120 acres, the county has about 368 operating
farms. Tiber Dam is located in tlie south-central part of the county.

According to the 1964 United States Census of Agricultural Report, tlie average farm is approx-
imately 3,040.2 acres in size with an average value per acre of approximately $61.27.

Liberty County's chmate is generally classed as semi-arid, and the average growing season
is 105 days.

The majority of the fai-ms are diyland operations. The county has a total of 1,611 acres under
irrigation at tlie present time. The irrigated land receives its water from Tiber Dam and runoff.

The major crops grown in tlie county are winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley. The larg-
est acreage dming normal years is planted to winter wheat, followed by spring wheat and barley.
Some oats are grown, but the acreage nonnally is small.

The majority of the farms throughout the county follow the alternate crop and fallow system
to build moisture reserves and carry out a weed control program. A large percentage of the dry-
land is strip cropped for erosion control, and stubble mulching is a universal practice. The entire
county is included in a Soil and Water Conservation District with about 170 farmers cooperating
under the program.

There is no organized weed control district in Liberty County, however, perennial noxious weeds
are not a serious thi-eat to crop production as yet. The county road crew sprays road right-of-way
barrow pits.

The 1964 statistical report from the Agricultural Marketing Service hsts a total of 14,948 cattle
and calves raised in tlie county, 55 milk cows, 1,435 hogs and pigs, and 4,855 sheep and lambs.
The cattle numbers remain quite constant with some fann feedlot feeding. The number being fed
fluctuates with tlie price of feed barley and finished cattle.

There are no dairy herds in the county.

Hog production in the county is relatively stable witli only a couple of laige swine enteqjrises
and a few small farm swine herds.

Sheep production has decreased in the past years and is somewhat stabilized to a few small farm
flocks of the wool-type breeds.

Farm flocks of chickens and other x'oultry are continually declining in numbers.

The following is a summary of land use in the county: cultivated land, 549,491 acres; irrigated
land, 1,611 acres; forest, 4,000 acres; range land, 334,488 acres; cities, roads, etc., approximately
3,600 acres.

— 24 —

Population of Liberty County is approximately 2,624, one of the smallest counties in the state,
but has tlie highest per capita income.

STREAM GAGING STATIONS

The U. S. Geological Survey measures tlie flow of stieams, co-operating witli funds supphed
by several state and federal agencies. The results have been pubhshed yearly m book fomi by
drainage basms in Water-Supply Papers through the year i960. Beginning with 1961, tlie stream-
flow records have been published annually by the U. S. Geological Survey for the entire state
under the title, "Surface Water Records of Montana." Data for 1961-65 and subsequent five-year
periods will be published in Water-Supply Papers. Prior to general issuance, advance copies of sta-
tion records may be obtained from the U. S. Geological Survey. That agency's records and reports
have been used in die preparation of diis resume'.

Data given below c-over the sUeam gaging records, wliich are available for Liberty County
from the beginnmg of measurements tlu-ough the water yeai" 1967. The water year begins October 1
and ends September 30 of the following yeai'.

Following are equivalents useful in converting from one unit of measurement to another:

(a) In Montana, one cubic foot per second equals 40 miner's indies.

(b) One acre-foot is the amount of water required to cover an acre one foot deep.

(c) One cubic foot per second will nearly equal two acre-feet (1.983) in 24 hours.

(d) A flow of 100 miner's inches will equal five acre-feet m 24 hours.

(e) One miner's inch flowing continuously for 30 days will cover one acre 13a feet deep.
For reference purposes, tlie stream gaging stations are listed in downstream order.

Marias River near Chests*

The water-stage recorder is 1 mile dovrastream from Tiber Dam, 4 miles upstream from Pon-
dera Coulee, and 15 miles soutliwest of Chester. The drainage area is 4,927 square miles, of which
518 square miles is probably noncontributing. Records are available from April to September 1921
(at site 2J2 miles downstream), October 1945 to September 1947 (at site 3 miles downsti'eam), and
October 1955 to date (1968) at present site. The maximum discharge was not determined, (occurred
about March 20, 1947) and the minimum, probably less than 0.2 cf.s. (October 29 to November 10,
1966), when gates at dam were closed. The average discharge for 14 years (1945-47, 1955-67) was
887 cf.s. or 642,200 acre-feet per year. The highest annual runoff was 937,800 acre-feet (1967) and
the lowest, 70,760 acre-feet (1956) when Tiber Reservoir was filling. Flow completely regulated by
Tiber Reservoir since October 28, 1955. There are diversions for irrigation of about 65,000 acres
above the station.

— 25 —

Partial Record Stations and ^^cellaneous Discharge Measurements

In order to provide information on more streams than are covered by stream gaging stations,
the U. S. Geological Survey has for several years been collecting some partial records. These are
in addition to tlie miscellaneous discharge measurements which have always been reported. These
partial records, when correlated with simultaneous discharges of nearby continuous-record stations,
give fair indications of available flow.

There are three crest-stage partial-record stations in tlie Marias River Basin in Liberty County.
Stations are now (1968) being operated on Marias River Tributary No. 3 near Chester, Cottonwood
Creek Tributary near Chester, and Cottonwood Creek Tributary No. 2 near Chester.

The partial-record stations as well as tlie miscellaneous discharge measurements are listed at the
end of each U. S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper or Surface Water Records report.

ReservcHTS

Details of operation records for the following reservoir are available in the U. S. Geological
Sui-vey pubhcations.

Tiber Reservoir near Chester*

The tape and staff gages are located in tlie control house of river outlet tunnel at Tiber Dam
on Marias River, 15 miles southwest of Chester. The drainage area is 4,923 square miles, of which
518 squai-e miles is probably noncontiibuting. Records are available from October 1955 to date
(1968). The maximum contents observed was 1,193,000 acre-feet (July 12. 13, 1965) and the mini-
mum since fnst filling, 436,000 acre-feet (April 27 to May 2, 1967). Storage began October 28, 1955.
The usable capacity is 1,347,000 acre-feet at controlled spillway elevation of 3,012.5 feet. Dead stor-
age is 21,580 acre-feet below elevation 2,870 feet. Water is presently used for recreation and flood
control.

"'This station is now in operation (1968),

DAMS AND RESERVOIRS

The State of Montana has no statutes governing the design or construction of dams and, ex-
cept for projects which the Montana Water Resources Board has constructed, die Bo;iid has no means
of automatically obtaining information concerning design specifications, storage capacities, locations,
or ownersliips of dams and reservoirs built tliroughout the State. Consequently, steps have been
taken to make tliis information available for use by the State, tiie Federal Government, and private
citizens.

By means of a questionnaire, the Montana Water Resources Board recently obtained from the
various federal agencies who design structures, the basic engineering data, locations, and owner-
ships of dams and reservoirs for which they either have, or had, responsibihty and which have stor-
age capacities of 50 acre-feet or more. The contributing federal agencies were the Soil Conserva-
tion Service, the Forest Service, tlie Bureau of Reclamation, and the Bureau of Land Management.
The Montana Power Company also participated in the study.

— 26 —

T. 28N

R.4E

R.5E

R.6E

R.7E

T. 37N

-P-4>^

^HITLASH^ V

•^i. arson X.*^

W^r"^ / \

T 36N

T 35N

T.34N

S --"^ O -y^'-

T.33N

T32N

T3IN

T.30N

, Liff/a

.y

T36N

T.29N

R.3E

V

V- r

f

/

T35N

T. 34N

T33N

T.32N

■^nT / \ >'^x^''il''-5^''*t*

T.3IN

T.30N

T.29N

T. 28N

R.3E

R.4E

R.5E

R.6E

R.7E

LIBERTY COUNTY LOCATION MAP

Registry of Dams

LEGEND

▼ Dams 50 acre feet or more
ts^ Major Lakes and Reservoirs
^ Dry Lake Beds

Information on numerous dams and reservoirs constructed by private individuals in Montana is
not available and is, therefore, omitted. However, the Board's Water Resoiu-ces Survey crew, while
working in Liberty County, obtained information on private dams and reservoirs within this county.
The available information obtained from all sources was compiled by the Boai-d for each county in
the State and a list of dams and reservoirs wliich store 50 acre-feet or more of water was published.

GROUNDWATER

A. J. Mancini, Geologist

GEOLOGY

After a period of great earth movements and uplift some one million years ago, sheets of gla-
cier ice moved into Liberty Coimty from the north and west. Ice advanced and retreated intermit-
tently until about 40,000 years ago at which time the retreat to the Polai" region became more
permanent. Remaining as testimony to this period of continental glaciation in the county is a mantle
of earth material, for the most part unconsolidated, deposited by the ice or ice meltwater. Glacial-
age deposits vary in thickness from a few feet to almost four hundred feet, and at present cover
all of the county excepting East Butte of the Sweetgrass Hills and tlie higher ground of 'Dobie
Ridge." Portions of tlie floodplam of the Marias River and larger tributaries disguise underlying
glacial deposits with a veneer of recent alluvium and fluvial gravels. There is sufficient evidence to
presume the presence of many miles of buried valleys and stream channels under the Marias River
floodplain and elsewhere that are filled with glaciofluvial deposits. These valleys and channels are
vestiges of preglacial and glacial drainage systems. The present drainage system post-dates the gla-
ciation period but apparently does resemble the earlier pattern in some respects. Excepting the Mar-
ias River, all streams in the county are reported as intermittent. A considerable portion of the Marias
River is now backed-up behind the Tiber Dam.

If the glacial cover could be peeled off, the imderlying outcrop pattern of bedrock forma-
tions would show the reflection of the east flank of a broad antichnal dome, the Kevin-Sunburst
Dome, and a fold known as tlie South (Sweetgrass) Arch. The configuration of the dome and arch
is such that successively younger (deposited later in geologic time) sedimentary rocks are encountered
in an eastward direction. A well drilled to sufficient depth in the northeastern part of the county
would encounter sedimentary rocks underground that are of the same formation exx^osed faither west.
Regional dip is about 50 feet per mile to the cast. Structure has been punctuated in northwestern
Liberty County by an igneous intiusion, whereby the fonn of a breached dome is apparent from
the outcrop pattern of the unglaciatcd upland. This is East Butte, the predominant physiographic fea-
ture in the county, rising about 3,000 feet above the plain. Under the glacial cover are other struc-
tural features such as the Utopia nose plunging eastward, and smaller domes and "noses" most of
which flank East Butte on the north and east. The arching of the bedrock, along with the develop-
ment of local stmcture, and the igneous intrusion occurred prior to the glacial epoch.

AQUIFERS

Groundwater is available in both unconsolidated and consolidated sediments. Unconsohdated
aquifers include recent alluvium and terrace deposits, glacial sands and gravels, and glaciofluvial
valley fill. Consolidated aquifers include all the water-bearing bedrock and subsurface formations.
The Eagle formation appears to be the most utihzed source of groundwater. Individual aquifers are
discussed in sequence of geologic age, the youngest or most shallow first and the oldest or deep-

— 27 —

est last. Water-well data have been taken from appropriation forms filed widi the Groundwater Code
Administrator, deep-well data from the records of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and
water-quaUty data from tlie records of die Department of Health.

Alluvium (Quaternary) — is stream, river, and lake deposits composed of silt, sand, gravel, and
clay, mixed and interbedded, of recent geologic age and normally unconsohdated or only weakly
cemented. In Liberty County tliese are narrow belts ot thin floodplain deposits along the Marias
River and some major tributaiies, and low alluvial fans. Colluvium of streams at higher elevations
is also inckided in tliis category. The thickness of alluvium is reported as only 14 feet in Tps. 29
and 30 N., R. 5 E., and the maximum tliickness is probably not much greater. Alluvium locally is wat-
er-bearing but is too thin to be considered a reliable source of groundwater in the floodplain. Col-
luvium is water-bearing and probably is capable of providing small yields locally.

Terrace Deposits (Quaternary) — are mixtures of unconsolidated sands and gravels found locally
aiong the Marias River, reportedly from 10 to 60 feet thick. These are not extensive enough to be
considered reliable aquifers, but may seive as recliarge areas for underlying glacial and fluvial sedi-
ments. Ten-ace renmants have been reported at four elevations, marking the transitory stages of the
Marias River.

Glacial Deposits (Quaternary) — include a preponderance of till composed of dense grey, green,
and brown clays; siuids and gravels associated witli local meltwater deposits; and glaciofluvial clas-
tic material wliich accumulated in valleys and depressions. The glacial sequence may also include
lake deposits. Within the unpei-vious, unstratified heterogeneous till is at least one interval of bould-
ers, as much as 30 feet thick.

Associated witli tlie till are deposits of coarser material which can be utihzed as aquifers if
dependable sources of recharge exist. These permeable sands and gravels are meltwater deposits,
usually linear in shape and of limited extent and thickness. They result from deposition by running
water originating from melting glacier ice. As aquifers glacial sands and gravels become important
in areas where die underlying bedrock is a thick sequence of shale.

Valley fill is also a heterogeneous accumulation, but differs in that it contains intervals of
sands and gravels of sufficient tliickness to be considered important aquifers. Information is lack-
ing, but apparently tliere were nimierous channels in Liberty County which have been filled-in.
Some of these would have been temporary channels during the glacial epoch, but others were pre-
glacial valleys with significant collections of alluvium. The most important preglacial valleys were
those of the ancestral east-flowing Marias River, and the south-flowing Cottonwood Creek, a tribu-
tary to the Maiias. The two ancestral stems joined in western Hill County to form a now-buried
Marias River valley wliich probably hosts aquifers capable of moderate yields, expected to be in
the same range as those of the buried preglacial Missouri valley fill (perhaps as much as 300 gal-
lons per minute per well). The preglacial valleys in Liberty County, from available data, were not
as extensive as those in Hill County.

Other buried valleys are suspected along the present Laird Creek-Sage Creek-Lost Coulee sys-
tem east of East Butte, and along Alkah Coulee and O'Brian Coulee in the east-central part of tlie
county. Segments of temporary cliannels have been interpreted to be present tlu-oughout the county.
North of East Butte wells reportedly have penetrated thick sequences of fluvial and lacustrine sedi-
ments as well as glacial deposits, including intervals of boulders. The thickest inteqDreted sequence
is 400 feet, witli five feet of water-bearing gravel at the base.

--28 —

R.4E.

R.5E.

R.6E.

R.7E.

T.37N

T.36N

T.35N.

T.34N.

T28N.

T.37N.

T36N.

T35N.

T34N.

T33N.

T.32N.

T3IN.

T30N.

t29N.

asE.

R.4E.

FlmB* mmlt - AUnrlum li rtrf Mt tut mar ri»l* *ii>*U *mamtt »t m
Itemllfi turit^ rtlli/ fill It a tmlltr attittr.

Ttrrctt-S*»*/fr»Tml rtmmtml tt pritr fluriwl fy^tillrm; mtjr camlmim
taif*rt at Hmift utttr tui rapit t^fitit*.

. j . M .. Barlrt fntlttlal Harlai Hirar Vaitt/ ■ Ifallar H" •«■ '«•»/ ^ari^ amall
r^>:>^^>^J ta matarara f/afdt.

f f t 't 'n tarla^ ^atlaaial aat SItial C»taana' La<alljr ^arita amall fiaU,

Tarnarf mtnaitaa - Maf fraaitt t*a4»U» fae graaa^rafar maramaar la
tat»»rta araaa.

eiatialat Ptaia, tatratt Sarftta fratamimaally Ja^m Hirar S4M*traaa -
Smalt jIaMa ffam aaattlaaa amt ararlyiai glatial malarial.

eiaelaiat Maia, tatract sailaaa Pra*amlaaailf Clanail SItmla- titala la
aal marmallx a^alfar »*t amaU flal4t raaaltla Iram ararlplat fUaial
malarial aat aatarlflaf lafla larmallaa.

91—latat Pfala, ta*raa» Sarlaaa ^aOamlmaaUx fapli Farmaliaa • Small
riml^ Iram aaa^alaaaa, farMawlarlr Ita tatal ¥lr§alla mamaar. aa4
aaarlfitt flaalal maUrM.

C3

rrm

R.5E.
EXPLANATION

R.6E.

R.7E.

C3

cn

®

aittfttat Flala, Baitatt Sarlaaa ^ra^amiattlf Calarata Simla (laalamt
Ilia Talasra^ Ctaat Farmaliat m*art ^^icatla I - Simla la aat aarmaUjr am
a^aifat, tal amall flaUa paaai H a latailf Iram ararljiaf flaalal malarial.

IMHaaiaraS Vplaa4. tHraei Sarlata PrattmiaaaNr ■fatm INtar S aata l ^-
Small fiaMa gaaaiVa latal/f, wiHiia Ita taaa af a»i>raHaa, maall amaaai at
ratliarsa la Ja*ili Xitar aaa4aiaaa paaa^la

IMpiaciala^ Uplaa4,»i^att Strtma ^a4amlmmHii Oanalt Shalt- St»la fa
ami aatmallf a* fifr'

Uatftialat Uflaa4, »i*att Sarlaaa Pn t aml a aaHt £fa FarmaHaa ■ Small
fiaUt paaaiHa lacallt, ""'* M« tiaa af alamiaa; amaH amamal at
rae»arsa la £afla atttaiaaa paaaiUa.

Uflatiaiai UHaai, »a4rata Sarlaaa ^ra^amla—ll, Clataia Sta/a-Stala
ia aai tarmalljr ta taalfar, *at a^aga a/a t»mmaa

Oanaa/ala^ Uflaa*, f4ra*» Sarlata af Kaafaaai la M»4ltta rtrmlHl'
rattarga araa far ttrlaia aa»tm'Haa arlaaiam agalfta.

Ba^aHa* S^rfas

MONTANA WATER
RESOURCES BOARD

GROUNDWATER INVENTORY
LIBERTY COUNTY

COMPILED FROM DATA AVAILABLE AS OF
AUGUST/, 1968

Campilat iVaa raaaria at u. S. Saolatleal a^iwy, i»a
Maalaat Ouraaii al tllittt a 6aalatr, aa^ altara.

Saate§ml. A.J. lilaiicliil
AaM/y ifi: II.Jl Saaa
OraUtt *.' P.K. ¥afl

Tertiary Intrusives — are masses of "granite" which pushed upward into overlying sedimentary
rock strata prior to the glacial advance. These masses form the core of East Butte and now are ex-
posed due to erosion of the overlying broken rock cover. The intrusives are not aquifers but may
conduct runoff into subsurface aquifers through fractures, and througli conduits which developed at
the igneous-sedimentary contacts.

Judith River Formation (Cretaceous) — is the youngest sedimentaiy bedrock in die county and is
a sequence of tan-grey sandstones and shales, less than 100 feet thick in the outcrop as a result
of uplift and erosion, and 400-600 feet thick in the subsurface thickening westward. Massive sand-
stones in the lower 200 feet of the formation contain the better aquifers. Individual sandstone units
are lenticular, but the overall wide areal extent of the formation makes it an effective aquifer for
small-yield wells. The sandstones are artesian aquifers and some wells have flowing yields.

Claggett Shale (Cretaceous) — is an interval of shale and shaley sandstone with cleaner sand-
stone in the vipper part locally. A complete section is about 4.50 feet thick, thinning in a westward
direction. Tliis formation is not normally considered an aquifer, but may be water-bearing locally.

Eagle Sandstone (Cretaceous) — consists of two distinct members, an upper shaley unit and the
lower Viigelle sandstone. The overall fonnation thickness is about 275 feet. The upper member may
contain local aquifers within its 150-foot thickness; the lower Virgelle sandstone is an extensive aqu-
ifer. The Virgelle is fine to coarse grained massive sandstone, locally with tiiin interbeds of shale
and hgnite.

Colorado Shale (Cretaceous) — is a dark grey to black shale, not normally considered an aqu-
ifer, as much as 1,950 feet tliick (inchiding tJie Telegraph Creek Formation between the Colorado
shale and Virgelle sandstone). Irregular sandstone stringers within the Telegraph Creek-Colo-
rado sequence may be water-bearing locally. However, more commonly wherever this sequence con-
stitutes the surface bedi'ock and overlying unconsolidated eartli material is barren, it could be neces-
sary to drill 2,000 feet or deeper for water.

Kootenai Formation (Cretaceous) — is approximately 3(X)-350 feet of sandstones and shales, and
probably contains aquifers locally. Some of the sandstones within this interval produce oil.

Jurassic Interval — is 300+ feet of sandstone, shale, and limestone ;md includes crude oil reser-
voir rocks. Porous sandstones and limestones that do not contain oil might be tapped as sources of
water, if the depth were not excessive and the water-quahty not adversely affected by other forma-
tion fluid.

Madison Limestone (Mississippian) — is 1,000 feet or more of hght-colored limestone having poor
if any primary matrix porosity, but sometimes developing cavernous solution porosity at or near the
top. The Madison provides large quantities of water for the secondary recovery of oil in nearby
counties. Madison water reportedly is also used for "health and recreation" and small-scale iniga-
tion in north-central Montana. Depth to aquifer has deterred greater development for non-industiial
use.

Pre-Mississippian Rocks — include those of Devonian and Cambrian age. Within the more than
1,200 feet of Devonian section, the Jefferson formation contains carbonate intei-vals which probably
could provide small to moderate well-yields. Development has not been attempted due to the risk

— 29 —

and the cost involved. Below the Devonian are rocks of Cambrian age, among which are limestones
and sandstones that may be water-bearing. The deeper pre-Cambrian section lias not been explored
but could be water-bearing in fractures and cavities at deptlis exceeding 5,000 feet below the
surface.

GROUNDWATER AREAS

Liberty County can be subdivided into at least three groundwater areas, based on physiog-
raphy: the Marias River floodplain, the East Butte upland area, and the plauis area.

Marios lUver Floodplain. The floodplain of the Marias River is a narrow band of very tliin
alluvium extending from the Tiber Dam eastward to ihe county boundary. Similar deposits are
tuund along the southern tributaries to the Marias. Based on the appropriation forms of record,
very few water wells have been drilled in the floodplain and tliese may actually be getting water
irom underlying buried valley fill of an ancestral valley. Due to the hmited thickness of the re-
cent alluvium (as reported), and much of this being silt, die floodplain probably is not as effective
a groundwater area as miglit be expected. Of diree wells reported as starting ni tlie floodplain, one
in Section 17, T. 29 N., R. 6 E., pumps 80 gpm {gallons per mmute) for domestic purposes from a
total depth of 12 feet; a second well pumps 3 gpm from a total depth of 150 feet; and the dind
pumps 50 gpm from a total depth of 36 feet. The latter two wells reportedly were drilled for use in
connection with the Tiber Dam Reclamation Project.

East Butte Upland. The upland area characteristically is an area of mtake for certain aquifers
and hosts numerous springs in coulees and other low topographic expressions. Encroaching glacial
ice did not reach tiie top of East Butte, but evidence indicates that flanking portions of Uie ui>
land have been affected by the ice-age environment. North of East Butte are clusters of water wells
which found water-bearing sands and gravels 160-400 feet below the surface. These sands and grav-
els appear to be witliin glaciofluvial and glacial-lacustrine deposits. Other wells west and soudi of
the butte found glacial deposits as much as 125 feet below the surface, suggesting that melting-ice
water may have flowed and/or collected along the northern, western, and southern flanks of East
Butte. Locally the glacial deposits include more than 50 feet of permeable aquifer. Some wells re-
ported hard cemented gravel at the base of the glacial material, and one well reported flammable
gas in a gravel bed about 160 feet below the surface. The presence of naUiral gas is not regarded
as unusual in view of tlie fact that several producing gas and oil fields aie located on die flanks
of East Butte.

The Plains Area. Much of Liberty County is rolling plains, trenched by intermittent drainages.
All of tlie plains area widi tlie exception of liigh topography of die "Dobie Ridge" has a mantle of
glacial material. Gromidwater is presendy obtained from coarse material within the glacial deposits
and from bedrock sandstones of die Judith River and Eagle formations. In die ancestral Cottonwood
Creek valley, water is pumped out of valley-fill sands and gravels at depths of 10 to 150 feet. Anodier
ancestral drainage system in nortlieastem Liberty County contains valley-fill sand and gravel aquifers
at depths of 10 to 100 feet.

Jndidi River sandstone wells are mostly reported in the eastern portion of die county from T.
32N. to T. 37N., and Rgs. 6 and 7 East. The total depths are in the range of 1.50 to 225 feet. Several
wells less than 100 feet deep are reported in T. 37N., R. 4E. Yields from die Judidi River are re-
ported in the range of 5-50 gpm.

— 30 —

The Virgelle member of the Eagle formation is the most utilized aquifer in the county. Wells
have been drilled from 20 feet deep in T. 28N., R. 6E., to 828 feet deep in T. 37 N., R. 6E., in
order to obtain water from the Virgelle. The common depth-range is 200-450 feet below the ground
surface. Reported well-yields are in the range 5-75 gpm.. The municipal water supply for the town
of Chester is augmented by water obtained from the Vngelle. The town of Chester has filed ground-
water appropriation forms, claiming water from the Virgelle at depths of 398 and 442 feet in amounts
of 45,000 to 50,000 gaUons per day.

GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY AND USE

Groundwater is used mainly for livestock, and for domestic purposes. A considerable amount
of water intended for human consumption is hauled to the place of use, or in the case of Chester's
primary municipal supply, canied by water-line from the Tiber Reservoir.

Water in unconsolidated aquifers at or near the surface generally has a lower amount of total
dissolved soHds than that in deeper bedrock. Total chssolved sohds in the former have frequently
been measured in amounts less than 1,000 ppm {parts per million) while the amounts in the Judith
River and Eagle are reported as 2,500 to 7,200 ppm. Bedrock aquifers, even though containing great-
er amounts of dissolved minei'als, are extensively used due to a measure of greater rehability in-
herent in the wide-range existence of relatively thick permeable intervals, and artesian pressure.
In comparison the unconsohdated aquifers are iiTCgular localized lenses of uncertain distribution
and thickness, and in some areas are subject to rapid depletion. Ahnost everywhere in the plains
area the Judith River and Eagle can be expected to provide small yields of water through wells.
This in itself is significant to ranchers attempting to obtain water for livestock in remote locahties.
A few bedrock wells are reported to have small flow-yields, which are due to favorable combina-
tions of surface topography and subsurface structure.

Groundwater is present in deep aquifers in discontinuous sandstones, and varying-lithology lime-
stones and dolomites. The sandstones, Cretaceous and/or Jurassic in age, are difficult to delineate
in the subsurface, and if water is found it may require pre-use treatment. The Madison limestone is
reported present throughout the county, at depths of 2,000-3,500 feet below the land surface. Large
quantities of water under artesian pressure can be expected from the Madison whei'ever cavernous
and/or fracture pemieability exists. An oil-exploration well in T. 31N., R. 4E., reported that a for-
mation test at a depth of 2,200 feet resulted in a flow of 500 barrels per hour (350 gpm) of sulfur-
ous water from the Madison. This water may not be suitable for any but industrial use without pre-
treatment, but a future potential is indicated if a need should exist.

The Jefferson dolomite is another wide-spread rock sequence at depths of 3,000-4,000 feet, which
can contain artesian water if permeability is effective. An oil-exploration well in T. 30N., R. 5E.,
reported testing a water-flow of 200 barrels per day (5-6 gpm) from the Jefferson dolomite at a
depth of 3,750 feet.

Present usage suggests that riu-al, domestic, and livestock needs will continue to be satisfied
by water from unconsolidated aquifers and the Judith River and Eagle formations. Due to inferior
quality of available groundwater in many localities, better-quality water will be desired for muni-
cipal use and preferred for domestic use, and will continue to be imported where possible. The
development of deep aquifers such as the Madison Hmestone does not seem necessary at present
excepting for an industrial use such as the secondary recovery of oil.

— 31 —

References

Alden, W. C, 1932, Physiography ond glacial geology of eostern Montano and adjacent areas: U. S. Geological
Survey Professional Paper 1 7'4.

Colton, Roger B., Lemke, Richard W., ond Lindvall, Robert M., 1961 , Glacial map of Montana east of the Rocky
Mountains: U. S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Mop 1-327.

Pierce, W. G., ond Hunt, C. B., 1937, Geolocjy and minerol resources of north-central Chouteau, western Hill,
and eastern Liberty Counties, Montano: U. S. Geological Survey Bulletin 847-F.

Ross, C. P., Andrews, D. A., and Witkind, I. J., 1955, Geologic map of Montana: U. S. Geological Survey in co-
operation with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.

Smith, J. F., Jr., Witkind, I. J., and Trimble, D. E., 1959, Geology of the lower Marias River Area, Chouteau,
Hill, and Liberty Counties, Montana: U. S. Geologicol Survey Bulletin 1071-E.

-32-

MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
GROUNDWATER DIVISION
WATER WELL INVENTORY

LIBERTY COUNTY

YEAR ACE

1940+

F H

I

N

P

S

R T

u

X Total

older -

.- _._.-. 34

1

1

1

29

30 ...

1 97

1941

1

1 ....

1

3

1942 ._._.. .._.

1

1

1943

3

2 ....

1

6

1944

1

4

5

1945

1

1

6

8

1946

1

1

2

1947 -

4

1

5

1948

4

4

1

9

1949

1

1

5

3 -.-

10

1950

3

6

2

11

1951

2

4

3

9

1952 . __ _

- ...... 3

2

3

8

1953 -

3

3

6

1954

5

3 ...

8

1955

6

5

1 ....

12

1956

2

2

2

1 7

1957

5

1

1

3

1

11

1958

4

1

1

3

9

1959 -

1

3

4

1960

4

7

11

1961

7

1

12

2

22

1962

1

9

2

12

1963

2

.

3

5

1964

1

1

1965 -... . .- -

2

2

1966

6

6

1967 -

1 ....

1

Totals ..

94

2

1

4

106

78 ....

4

2 291

\ — ^Conditioning
C — Commercial
D--Dewaterrng
F — Fire Protection
H— Domestic
I — Irrigation
N — Industrial

P— Public Supply

S— Stock

R> — Domestic and Stock

T — Institutionol

U^ — Unused

X — Unknown

-33 —

ECONOMIC MINERAL DEPOSITS

Geologic Situation

Liberty County is situated in the northwestern part of Montana's Great Plains fronting the
Rocky Mountains, and occupies part of a broad plateau dissected by the east-flowing Marias River
and its southeast-flowing tributaries. In the northern part of the County adjacent to the interna-
tional border is the eastern extremity (East Butte) of a range of hills which the early half-breed
hunters called Mountains of the Perfumed Ilay, to be later translated by the traders of the Mis-
souri region to the "Sweetgrass Hills." Mount Royal and Mount Brown of East Butte rise respectively
to elevations of 6,914 and 6,958 feet, and are approximately 3,000 feet higher than tlie surrounding
plain.

The greatest part of Liberty County is underlain by near-horizontal sandstone and shale, which
in ascending order are the Colorado Shale, Telegraph Creek Formation, the VirgeUe Sandstone For-
mation, Eagle Sandstone, Claggett Formation, and the Judith River Formation. In the eastern Sweet-
grass Hills is exposed the Mississippian Hmestone (Madison Limestone), Jurassic Shale, hmestone, and
sandstone (EUis Formation), and Lower Cretaceous shale and sandstone (Kootenai Formation).

Wisconsin glacial drift and glacial erratic pre-Cambrian boulders cover the adjacent plains, with
drift deposits forming an irregular and undulating surface. Tertiary coarse-grained laccolithic masses
and smaller dikes, sills, and plugs are intrusive into the sedimentary rocks with subsequent doming
and bending of adjacent sedimentary strata.

Metallic mineral deposits of the county are confined to the eastern Sweetgrass Hills where cop-
per, lead, zinc, gold, and iron are reported to occur largely in noncommercial quantities. The non-
metalhc fluorspar lode deposits in this region contain minor amounts of barite, and silver and gold,
the precious metals probably associated with iron disulfide (pyrite). Some production of placer gold
and copper ore has been reporiied from the East Butte area, but the total amount is believed to have
been small.

Metallic Minerals

Principal iron deposits occur at three properties at the head of Tootsie Creek, east of the sum-
mit of Mount Royal. At the M and M, Mountain Chief, and Malvina claims, magnetite and specul-
arite form aggregates in limestone or in fracture zones in the syenite, the deposits localized near the
contact of the intrusive and sedimentary rock. Chalcopyrite is associated with all iron deposits and
some gold was reported produced from the Malvina property. No iron ore has been reported ship-
ped from these East Butte claims.

Southwest of Mount Royal summit near the head of Ribbon Gulch is the Brown Eyed Queen
mine and the Gagnon property. Small sliipments of rich copper ore (bomite) have been made from the
Brown Eyed Queen property, and the Gagnon property has produced some ore from galena-bearing
fracture zones.

Nonmetollic Minerals

Fluorite occurs in the vicinity of East Butte in tlie Sweetgrass Hills. The largest known deposit
is in the Tootsie Greek area, where fluorite concentrations are scattered over an area 2,000 feet long

— 34 —

by several liundred feet wide. The fluorite occurs in Madison Limestone adjacent to a syenite stock.
At present no fluorite is being mined at this deposit.

Beds of bentonite are reported in the Claggett Shale, which crops out along a belt extending
from the southeast corner to the northwest comer of the county.

Oil and Gas

Since the discovery of natural gas in Whitlash Field in November 1918, Liberty County has
yielded about 4,550,(X)0 barrels of oil and more than 64 bilhon cubic feet of natural gas. A total of
471 wells have been drilled in the search for oil and gas.

After the discovery of Whitlash Field, Bears Den Field was found in 1924, followed by Flat
Coulee in 1928, Grandview in 1930, Utopia in 1943, Keith in 1945, and Mt. Lilly in 1964. In 1967,
oil production averaged about 1,250 barrels per day and gas x^roduction about 18.2 million cubic feet
per day. Production comes from rocks of Lower Cretaceous, Jurassic and Mississippian ages.

Exploration is still progressing at a steady pace. A total of 21 wells were drilled in 1967 of
which 3 produced oil and 2 produced gas.

SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

Liberty Coimty is served by the Liberty County Soil and Water Conservation District which
was organized June 3, 1950. The area of the Liberty County District is 921,165 acres.

The District is governed by a board of five supervisors who are elected by the land occupants
of the county. They carry out a program of complete resource conservation, including erosion con-
trol, water conservation, soil management, and land improvement, wildlife management, recreation,
land use adjustment. This program is accomphshed by providing assistance to farmers and ranch-
ers on a voluntary basis, by analyzing all resources, and by planning and applying economically
soimd conservation practices.

Under state law, the supervisors have the x^ower to call upon local, state, and federal agencies
to assist in carrying out a soil and water conservation xerogram. The Liberty County Soil and Water
Conservation District has a memorandum of understanding with the Soil Conservation Service and
the State Forestry Department to provide technical assistance to District cooperators in carrying out
a sound resource conservation program. Close working relations are maintained with the Extension
Service, Agricultiu'al Stabilization and Conservation Committee, Bureau of Reclamation, Board of
County Commissioners, Department of the Interior, Montana Fish and Game Department, and the
Department of State Lands and Investment.

The Soil Conservation Service assists the District by furnishing and interpreting basic data on
soils, plant cover, and other features of the land. Technical data are inteq^reted to furnish alternate
uses and tieatments to aid District cooxDerators in carrying out a sound conservation xerogram. It
also aids District cooperators in performing operations requiring technical skills beyond the exx^eri-
ence of the individuals involved.

— 35 —

The office of the State Forester cooperates with the District by coordinating the programs in
shelterbelt and field windbreak tree planting. They cooperate with the District in conducting tours
of tree plantings to stimulate interest of cooperators.

The Extension Service assists the District with its education and information program. An im-
portant function of the District is to inform landowners and occupants of the benefits derived from
the wise use of land-water resources.

Teclmical phases of the District's program inckide detailed soil surveys, range site and condi-
tion surveys, ground water investigations, topographic and other engineering surveys. With the use
of this basic resource information, proper land use and needed conservation treatment of each field
can be determined. The technician interprets the sui-veys and provides tlie District cooperators
with alternatives in land use and treatment that will enable him to treat the hazards and hmitations
that occur on each tract of land. With this information and by counseling with the technician, the
farmer or rancher makes the final decision. These decisions are recorded in the Conservation Plan.

When the plan is completed, the cooperator is given further tK:hnical assistance in establishing
the conser\'ation practices called for in the plan. This technical assistance is provided without cost
to the cooperating farmer or rancher.

At present there are 532,597 acres of privately-owned cropland, 329,992 acres of rangeland and
tame pasture, 9,518 acres of wtwdland and 3,650 acres of other land on fanns but not considered
in the above categories. In addition, there are 22,747 acres of federal land, 12,191 acres of urban
and built-up land and 1,840 acres of water surface.

It is estimated that 10,700 acres in the county can be irrigated. Most of the irrigation water
would be obtained from the Marias River, proposed Marias-Milk River Canal, Sage Creek Coulee
and the Cottonwood Creek watershed. At present there are about 938 acres under irrigation.

The major enteriirises on agricultural lands ai'e grain and livestock production. Livestock con-
sists mainly of beef cattle, sheep and swine. Cash crops are small grains and hay.

On irrigated land the conservation effort consists largely of improvement of irrigation systems,
land leveling, construction of permanent ditches, and improved pasture and hayland management.

On dryland pasture and range the effort has been to improve vegetative cover through
seeding, deferred rotation grazing, fencing, livestock water development, and improvement of wild-
life habitat.

Conservation on non-irrigated cropland has been accomplished by the establishment of conser-
vation cropping systems, field windbreaks, grassed waterways, wind stripcropping, and diversions.

The District owns a tree planter which is available to District cooperators on a rental basis
for their tree-planting program.

The cooperative effwt of conservation-minded landowners and operators, other groups, and
agencies, have contributed to the overall success of the District.

— 36 —

FISH AND GAME

The Marias River was named by Lewis and Clark who thought it might be the main stem ot
the Missouri River. Sports fishing in Liberty County centers primarily around the Marias drainage.
The headwaters of this stream on the eastern slopes of the Rockies afford trout fishing. Two Medi-
cine River in Glacier Park, Cut Bank Creek, Birch Creek, Willow Creek and the main Mai-ias River
offer rainbow trout. Best trout fishing on the Marias River is immediately below Tiber Reservou".
Some trout are taken from the reservoir proper, but Tiber is more noted for excellent perch, rather
than trout fishing. State parks on Tiber Reservoir offer access for fishennen, boaters, and other
water-oriented forms of recreation.

In addition to trout, the upper Marias River is fished for sauger, whitefish, and noi-tliem pike.
An occasional paddlefish is taken under special bowfishing regulations. Further downstream, near
Loma, the Marias produces some excellent catfish.

Big game in Liberty County is limited to deer and pronghomed antelope. Though this is not one
of the better big game areas in the state, some fine "mulie" bucks are found in the breaks along
the Marias River.

Both upland game birds and waterfowl are found here in abundance. Sharjjtailed grouse and
Hungarian partridge inhabit the grasslands and weedy coulees while pheasants frequent the agricul-
tural areas. Both ducks and geese find Tiber Reservoir and the many farm ponds in the area to their
hking. During late fall, Canada geese concentrate on Tiber Reservoir and feed in surrounding grain-
fields, providing some excellent goose hunting.

When the game hunting seasons are over, avid shooters keep their hunting eyes in condition by
hunting rabbits. Coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and badgers offer some winter sport also.

— 37 —

SUMMARY OF IRRIGATED LAND BY RIVER BASINS IN THE
FOLLOWING COUNTIES COMPLETED TO DATE

Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Flathead,

Gallatin, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis & Clark, Liberty,

Lincoln, Madison, Meagher, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River,

Powell, Ravalli, Rosebud, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole,

Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux & Yellowstone.

RIVER BASIN

Missouri River Drainage Basin

Maximum

Irrigated and

Irrigable

Irrigable

Present

Acres Under

Acres

Irrigated

Present

Under Present

Acres

Facilities

Facilities

''Missouri River ^ 134.575.50

Jefferson River 61,291.00

Beaverhead River 40,771.00

Big Hole River 23,775.00.

Madison River 59,445.00

Gallatin River 112,054.00

Smith River _ 32,934.00

Sun River 124,474.58

Marias River ^ 125,199.42

Teton River 74,653.00

Musselshell River 64,789.00

Milk River 215,923.62

Yellowstone River** 303,657.00

Stillwater River** ....
Clarks Fork River"

Big Horn River**

Tongue River

Powder River

Little Missouri River ...

30,423.50.
88,160.97.
65,005.00.
28,170.00..
35,948.00.
42,513.00.

Grand Total Missouri River Basin 1,643,762.59.

Columbia River Drainage Basin

Columbia River _ 0.00

Kootenai (Kootenay) River _ _.._ 9,914.13.

Clark Fork (Deer Lodge) (Hellgate)

(Missoula) River 146,287.70.

Bitter Root River 111,102.43.

Flathead River 135,907.19.

Grand Total Columbia River Basin 403,211.45.

Grand Total Counties Completed to Date 2,046,974.04.

26,711.33 161,286.83

9,173.00.. 71.004.00

6,076.00 ,.... 46,847.00

1,950.00 25,725.00

7,660.00 47,105.00

21,242.00 133,296.00

19,679.00 52,613.00

4,385.00 128,859.58

17,267.88 142,467.30

15,882.33 90,535.33

57,870.00 122,659.00

49,326.76 265,250.38

96,016.00 399,673.00

8,028.53 38,452.03

1,530.83 89,691.80

23,858.00 88,863.00

7,762.00 35,932.00

2,299.00 38,247.00

1,499.00 44,012.00

378,756.66 2,022,519.25

0.00 0.00

968.00 10,882.13

14,934.20 161,221.90

3,200.00 114,302.43

4,532.22 140,439.41

23,634.42 426,845.87

402,391.08 2,449,365.12

*Names of streams indented on the left-hand margin indicate that they are tributaries of the first stream
named above which is not indented.

**Figures in these river basins revised by resurvey of Carbon County, 196'5.

— 38 —

IRRIGATION SUMMARY OF LIBERTY COUNTY BY RIVER BASINS

MISSOURI RIVER BASIN

Missouri River

Marias River

Willow Creek

Eagle Creek _ -

Antelope Coulee

Unnamed Coulee

Total Willow Creek & Tributaries

Unnamed Coulee

Unnamed Coulee

Basin Coulee - -

Dugout Coulee

Cottonwood (Government) (Sweetgrass

Coulee) Creek -

Tootsie (Toosie) Creek

Flink Coulee

Corral Creek --

Unnamed Trib. Of Corral Creek „

Davis (Grassy Draw) (Fork) Coulee

Horse Creek -

North Fork Horse Creek -

Unnamed Coulee -

Troutwine Lake _

Jackson Coulee

Alma Coulee

Keith Coulee

Cox Coulee -

Manton (Poverty) Coulee

Total Cottonwood Creek & Tributaries

Hay Coulee

Black Coulee

East Fork Black Coulee

Rehal Coulee

Total Marias River 8e Tributaries

Milk River

Half Breed (Breed) Creek

Unnamed Lake — _

Ribbon (South Fork Half Breed) Creek

Keller Creek (Two Springs Creek)

Artesian Well

Leach (Keller) Coulee

Spring — -

Larson (Simmons) Coulee ^

Bell Creek (Spring Coulee) -

Bear Creek (Beaver) -

Bengore (Bangor) Creek

Long Coulee - ~

Dohrs (East Fork Bear) (Spring) Creek ..._

Unnamed Trib. of Dohrs Creek

Police Coulee _

West Fork Police Coulee

•Names of streams indented on the left-hand margin indicate that they are tributaries of the first stream
named above which is not indented.

Preseiit

Irrigated

Acres

Irrigable

Acres Under

Present

Facilities

Maximum

Irrigated and

Irrigable

Acres

Under Presenl

Facilities

0.00

0.00

0.00

1 589.00

730.00

2,319.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

894.00

131.00

1,025.00

0.00

0.00

O.OO

10.00

0.00

10.00

904.00

131.00

1,035.00

9 00

0.00

9.00

10 00

0.00

10.00

14.00

0.00

14.00

38.00

0.00

38.00

413 00

409.00

822.00

177 00

0.00

177.00

51 00

0.00

51.00

257.00

0.00

257.00

11 00

0.00

11.00

4 00

0.00

4.00

90 00

0.00

90.00

38 00

0.00

38.00

50 00

0.00

50.00

33 OO

0.00

33.00

68 00

0.00

68.00

16.00

0.00

16.00

155 00

0.00

155.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

125 00

0.00

125.00

1,488.00

409.00

1,897.00

42.00 .. .

0.00

42.00

OO

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

5.00

0.00-

5.00

4,099.00

1,270.00

5,369.00

3.00

0.00

3.00

96.00

41.00

137.00

39 00

0.00

39.00

95 00

34.00

129.00

31 00

0.00

31.00

16 00

0.00

16.00

80 00

o.oo

80.00

40 OO

0.00

40.00

151 00

0.00.....

151.00

30 00

0.00

30.00

297 00

64.00

361.00

50 OO

O.OO

50.00

4 00

0.00

4.00

00

0.00

0.00

4 00

0.00 . -

4.00

47 00

o.oo

47.00

0.00--

22.00

22.00

— 39 —

IRRIGATION SUMMARY OF LIBERTY COUNTY BY RIVER BASINS

Maximum

Present

Irrigable
Acres Under

Irrigated and

Irrigable

Acres

MISSOURI RIVER BASIN— (Conlinued)

Irrigated
Acres

Present
Facilities

Under Presenl
Facilities

Big Sandy Creek 0.00..

Sage Creek (Big Sage) _ 526.00.

Laird Creek (Little Sage) 3.00.

Simminook Creek 100.00.

Deer Gulch 19.00-

Carvers Coulee 0.00.,

Unnamed Coulee 30.00..

Chicken Coulee 29.00..

Mac Coulee 37.00..

Unnamed Coulee 63.00..

Lost Creek (Coulee) 19.00..

Unnamed Coulee 11.00..

Unnamed Coulee 2.00..

Little Sage Creek 295.00..

Scotch Coulee 39.00..

North Fork Scotch Coulee (A Dry) 18.00..

O'Brien Coulee 24,00-

South Fork O'Brien Coulee -.- 0.00..

Soldier Coulee _ _ _ 42.00.

Alkali (Four Mile) )Coulee _ 8.00-.

Total Sage Creek 8e Tributaries 1,265.00..

Total Milk River & Tributaries 2,248.00._

GRAND TOTAL LIBERTY COUNTY __ 6,347.00..

0.00..
35.00.

0.00..

0.00.

0.00.,

O.OO..

0.00..

0.00..
52.00..

0.00..

0.00..

0.00..

0.00..
61.00..

0.00-.

0.00..

0.00..

0.00..

0.00..

0,00_.

148.00..

309.00.

1,579.00..

G.Lu
561.0(3

3.tO

100.00

19.00

0.00
30.00
29.00
89.00
63.00
19.00
11.00

2.00

356.00

39.00

IS.OO

24.00

0.00
42.00

8.00

L413.00

2,557.00
7,926.00

— 40

WATER RIGHT DATA— LIBERTY COUNTY
APPROPRIATIONS AND DECREES BY STREAMS

STREAMS

No. of
Filings

APPROPRIATIONS
(Filings of Record)

DECREED RIGHTS

Minei's
Inches

Cu. Ft.
Per. Sec.

Case
No.

No. of Miiaer's Cu. Ft.
Decrees Inches Per Sec.

MISSOURI RIVER BASIN

Missouri River

Marias River

Unnamed Coulee

Willow Creek

Trail Creek

Strawberry Creek
Snow Coulee ....

Kinyon Coulee

Guernsey Run

Coulee

Galata Coulee

Galata Spring

Unnamed Coulee ....

Lane Coulee

Buffalo Coulee

Unnamed Coulee ..-
Hall (Lamb) Coulee
Unnamed Coulees — .
Trumbull Coulee — .
Unnamed Coulees — -

Emerson Coulee

Eagle Creek

North Fork Eagle

Creek

Haws Creek

Spring

Flat Coulee -..

Antelope Coulee ..
West Branch

Eagle Creek

East Fork Eagle

Creek

Dead Coulee

Dutro Coulee

Sekora Coulee

Bishop Coulee

Smith Coulee

Total Willow Creek &

Tributaries

0.00 0.00.

2i 100,04u.OO 2,501.UU.

24U.00.

1,490.00.

O.UO.

1,000.00-

300.00.

0.00..

200.00.

2,000.00-

144.00-

3,200.00..

1,240.00..

24,000.00-

A11-.

24,440.00.

All-

200.00.

All..

AIL,

O.UU-
37.25.

O.uO.
25.00.

7.50.

0.00.

5.00.

50.00.

3.60.

80.00.

31.00_

600.00-

6II.OO!

5.00;

41 51,224.80- 1,280.62-

Unnamed Coulee

Pondera Coulee

Showers Coulee

Lytle Coulee

Unnamed Coulee . -.
Unnamed Coulee —
Salty Spring Creek

Carlson's Coulee

Timber Coulee

South Fork
Timber Coulee
Unnamed Coulee ...

Total Pondera Coulee &
Tributaries

1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.

88.

1.

1.
1.
1.
1.
1-
1.
1.
2.

1-
1.

11.

100.00..
80.00-,

100.00-

1,200.00

500.00..

200.00..
200.00.

200.00..
200. 0O-.
200.00,
120.00-

2.50.
2.00.

2.50!
30.00-

12.50.

5.00.
5.00.
5.00-
5.00.
5.00.
3.00.

112,538.80 2,813.47.

280.00.

400.00,

2,000.00-

400.00,

40.00-

40.00,

500.00,

1,000.00.

1,200.00.

400.00.
200A.F.

5,980.0D-

7.00.

10.00-
50.00.
10.00.
1.00-
1.00-
12.50-
25.00.
30.00.

10.00.

149.50.

♦Names of streams indented on the left-hand margin indicate that they are tributaries of the first stream
named above which is not indented.

— 41 —

WATER RIGHT DATA— LIBERTY COUNTY
APPROPRIATIONS AND DECREES BY STREAMS

APPROPRIATIONS
{Filings of Record)

DECREED RIGHTS

STREAMS

No. of
Filings

Unnamed Coulee

Unnamed Coulee

Unnamed Coulee

Unnamed Coulee

Basin Coulee

Higgins Coulee

Miller Coulee

Millers Coulee

Alkali Sprijig Creek
(Spring Coulee) ....

Uphill Creek

Dugout Coulee

Unnamed Coulee

Wolfe Coulee

CoJtonwood (Govern- ..
men!) (Sweetgrass)

Cle) Creek

Spring ^

Spring Creek

Tootsie (Toosie)

Creek ^

Snoose (Bell Spring)

Coulee _

Flink Coulee

Joiner Coulee

Corral Creek

Dry Fork Coulee ..
Davis (Grassy-
Draw) (Fork)

Coulee

Spring Coulee

Johnston Coulee

Bourne Coulee

Phillipine Coulee

Dry Coulee

Taylor Coulee

Schudars Coulee ....

Horse Creek

Unnamed Coulee ..
East Fork Horse

Creek

Alexander

Coulee

Little Horse Creek

Unnamed Coulee ..

Bourne and

Hamilton Lake

Unnamed Coulee ..

Unnamed Coulee ..

Troutwine Lake

Badger Coulee

Jackson Coulee

Rock Coulee

Alma Coulee

Heimbigner Coulee
East Fork Alma

Coulee

Bison Coulee

26.
1.
4.

3.,
3-
1..
2..
2.
2.
1.
2..
19-
1..

Miner's
Inches

Cu. Fl.
Per. Sec.

Case
No.

No. of Miner's Cu. Ft.
Decrees Inches Per Sec.

300.00.
500.00.
300.00.
40.00.
1,340.00.
200.00.
800.00.
80D.OU.,

1,040.00.
600.00.
320.00.
400.00..
200.00.,

7.50.
12.50.

7.50.

1.00-
33.50.

5.00.
20.00.
20.00.

26.00.
15.00.

8.00.
10.00.

5.00.

36,360.00.
100.00.
690.00.

580.00.

909.00.

2.50.

17.25.

14.50.

2 200.00 5.00

1 400.00 10.00.

1 400.00 10.00

21 383,280.00 9,582.00

1 200.00 5.00

490.00.

600.00..

400.00-

480.00-

600.00.

300.00.
2,000.00.

400.00-

2,960.00-

80.00..

520.00.

100.00..
600.00.,

o.oa.

800.00.,
400.00..

o.oo..

8,000.00..

320.00..

200.00.,

720.00..

840.00..
500A.F...

12.25.
15.00.
10.00.
12.00.
15.00.

7.50-
50.00.
10.00.
74.00-

2.00.

13.00.

2.50.

15.00.

0.00.

20.00.
10.00.

0.00.
200.00.

8.00.

5.00.
18.00.
21.00.

630.00.
1,020.00..

15.76.
25.50.

— 42 —

WATER RIGHT DATA— LIBERTY COUNTY
APPROPRIATIONS AND DECREES BY STREAMS

APPROPRIATIONS
(Filings of Record)

DECREED RIGHTS

STREAMS

No. of
Filings

Miner's
Inches

Cu. Fl.
Per. Sec.

Case
No.

No. of

Decrees

Miner's Cu. Fl.
Inches Per 3ec.

Clayton Coulee .. 1-

Coulee No. 6 .... 1..

Coulee No. 2 .... 1..

Coulee No. 3 1..,

Coulee No. 4 1...

Coulee No. 5 ... . 1-.

One Mile Coulee 1...

Coulee No. 1 1...

Keith Coulee U...

Badger (Dry) Coulee 4..
Tiber (Fey) (West
Branch Cottonwood

Cr.) .- 10..

Cactus Coulee 1...

Tiber Gesche

Coulee 1...

Cox Coulee 0..

Stellner Coulee 1..

Man ton (Poverty)

Coulee 5..

Clausen Coulee .. 1-

Nutt Coulee .... 1..
Fey (Twelve Mile

Coulee) 8.-

Sagebrush Coulee .- 1-

Beebe Coulee 1..

Arnst Coulee 1..

Unnamed Coulee .. 1..

Layton Coulee 1..

Kjar Coulee 2..

Larson Coulee 2..

Unnamed Coulee .. 1-

Stipp Coulee 4-

Moore Coulee 1..

Six Mile Coulee 3..

Rattlesnake Coulee 1..

Sweet Grass Coulee 1..

Unnamed Coulee 1..

Total Col ton wood Creek

& Tributaries 197..

Hay Coulee 3..

Horse Coulee 2..

Dead Indian Coulee .... 0..

Unnamed Coulee 1..

Unnamed Coulee 1..

Depuyer Coulee 1-

Eight Mile Coulee 3..

Black Coulee 2..

Wilson Coulee 1..

Unnamed Coulee 1..

East Fork Black

Coulee --- 0.,

Rehal Coulee 4.,

Dry Lake Coulee 4.,

Spring Coulee .... 2.,

200.00.

160.00.

160.00..

160.00-

160.00..

160.00..

200.00..

160.00.
3,220.00.
4,560.00.

20,520.00.
150.00.

400.00.

0.00.

40.00.

14,680.00.

200.00.
240.00.

1,900.00..

200.00..

100.00.

320.00.,

240.00.

400.00..

340.00.

220.00..

200.00..

17,200.00.

400.00.

1,460.00.

80.00.

400.00.

40.00..

5.00.
4.00.
4.00.
4.00.
4.00.
4.00.
5.00.
4.00.
80.50.
114.00.

513.00.
3.75.

10.00.
0.00.
1.00.

367.00.
5.00.
6.00.

47.50.

5.00.

2.50.

8.00.

6.00.
10.00.

8.50.

5.50.

5.00.

430.00.

10.00.

36.50.

2.00.
10.00.

1.00.

513,540.00 12,838.50.

920.00..

,000.00..
0.00..
160.00.,
200.00.,
300.00.
410.00-

.,600.00..
600.00.

1,000.00.

0.00.

710.00.

1.300.00.

600.00.

23.00.

200.00-

0.00.

4.00.

5.00.

7.50.

10.25.

215.00_

15.00.

200.00.

0.00.

17.75.

232.50.

15.00.

— 43 —

WATER RIGHT DATA— LIBERTY COUNTY
APPROPRIATIONS AND DECREES BY STREAMS

APPROPRIATIONS

(Filings of Record)

DECREED RIGHTS

STREUU4S

No. of

Filings

Miner's
Inches

Cu. Fl.
Per. Sec.

Case No. of Miner's Cu. Ft.
No. Decrees Inches Per Sec.

Doby Hill
Coulee

2

1,000.00

25.00

Tolal Marias River and
Tribularies

372

778,258.80

, 19.456.47

Milk River

32
1
8

0.00

7,020.00

100.00

1,670.00

b8U.OU

1,420.00
200.00
120.00

100.00

200.00

40.00

960.00

560.00

120.00

8,031.00

920.00
100.00

1,080.00
40.00

100.00

280.00
2,240.00

100.00

400.00

700.00

80.00

0.00

25,090.00
300.00

8,620.00

100.00

0.00

200.00

1,100.00.-

0.00

175.50

2.50

41.75
17.00

35.50
5.00
3.00

2.50
5.00

1.00 ....

24.00

14.00

3.00

200.78

23.00
2.50

27.00

1.00

2.50

7.00
56.00

2.50

10.00

17.50
2.00
0.00

627.25
7.50

215.50
2.50
0.00
5.00

27.50......

■

Half Breed (Breed)

Creek

North Fork Half
Breed Creek

Ribbon (South Fork
Half Breed Creek)

.. 3054. 1 360.00 9.00

4

11

1

1

1

1

1

5

5

1--

30

7

1

8

Keller Creek (Two
Springs) Creek
Spring Coulee

Leach (Keller)

Coulee

Hicks Coulee
Thompson

Springs

Iiflrson (Simmons)

Coulee

Bell Creek (Spring
Coulee)

■"

Bear Creek (Beaver) ....

Bengore (Bangor)
Creek

..

Dohrs (East Fork
Bear) (Spring)

•

Waites Coulee

1

1

2
10

1

2

2

1

0-

28

1

6

1

1

4

■ • . .

North Coulee

North Fork Police

Coulee

South Fork Police

Coulee

West Fork Police

Coulee

Prey Coulee

Big Sandy Creek

-

Sage Creek (Big
Sage)

Black Jack Spring
Laird Creek
(Little Sage)
Long Coulee
Stratton Creek ..

Deer Gulch
Big Coulee
(South Fork
Deer Gulch)

".

— 44 —

WATER RIGHT DATA— LIBERTY COUNTY
APPROPRIATIONS AND DECREES BY STREAMS

APPROPRIATIONS
{Filings of Record)

DECREED RIGHTS

STREAMS

No. of
Filings

Miner's
Inches

Cu. Ft.
Per. Sec.

Case

No.

No. of Miner's Cu. Fl.
Decrees Inches Per Sec.

Northwest

Coulee 1.

Chicken Coulee ..

Waste Water .. 2.

Bobcat Coulee 2.

Lost Ci-eek

(Coulee) 1.

Ware Coulee 1.

Russell Coulee O..

Silver Lake 1

Little Sage Creek - 27..

Lebanon Coulee 2.

Antelope Coulee 2..
Desert (Keith)
(Spring)

Coulee 4.,

Unnamed

Coulee 1.

Cicon Coulee .. 4-

Keith Coulee 1.,

Scotch Coulee .... 13.

Spring 2..

North Fork
Scotch Coulee

(A Dry) .. 1..
A Dry

Coulee 1..

Unnamed

Coulee ,- 1..

Spring 1..

Unnamed Coulee L.

O'Brien Coulee 3..

Brown Coulee .... 1..

Coons Coulee .. 1..

Rochler Coulee 1..
St. Peters
(C & D)

Coulee - .- 2..

Mudget Coulee 1..
Alkali (Four

Mile) Coulee .. 5..

Dry Coulee 1..

Well Coulee .... 2..

Tolal Sage Creek and

Tributaries 127..

Total Milk River and

Tributaries 265.

GRAND TOTAL

LIBERTY COUNTY G37..

60.00.

O.UO.

8,240.00.

160.00.

200.00.
20.00.

0.00.

400.00-

7,590.00.

440.00..

600.00.,

620.00-

400.00..
1,800.00.

800.00-.
9,850.00.

960.00..

2.40.
2.40.

80.00.

80.00.
All.
700.00.
100.00.
200.00.
200.00-

1,100.00.
200.00.

1,440.00.
100.00.

800.00-

64,397.20.
91,658.20.

1.50.
0.00-
2.06.
4.00.

5.00.
0.50.
0.00-

10.00-

189.75.

11.00-

15.00.

15.50-

10.00.
45.00.
20.00.
246.25.
24.00.

0.06.

0.06.

2.00.
2.00.

17.50^
2.50-
5.00.
5.00.

27.50.
5.00-

36.00-

2.50-

20.00.

1,609.93.

2,291.46.

869,917.00 21,747.93.

1 360.00 _ 9.00

1 360.00 9.00

— 45 —

DRAINAGES IN LIBERTY COUNTY NOT LOCATED

STREAMS

No. of
Filings

Miner's
Inches

CvlFI.
Per Sec.

Chicks Coulee -

Hawley Creek

Little Cottonwood Creek

Rosa Creek

Strode Coulee

South Fork Twelve Mile Coulee

Umphrey Creek -

Antelope Spring —

Coral] Spring .__

Daisy Spring

Two Springs — -

TOTAL _ 1

80.00 2.00

40.00 1.00

200.00 5.00

150.00 3.75

300.00. _ 7.50

1,000.00 25.00

120.00 3.00

200.00 _ 5.00

30.00. _ 0.75

lOO.OO. „ 2.50

40.00 „ 1.00

2,260.00 56.50

— 46 —

WATER RESOURCES SURVEY

Liberty County, Montana

PART II

Mops Showing Irrigated Areas in Colors
Designating the Sources of Supply

Published by

MONTANA WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Helena, Montana

June, 1969

MAP INDEX

Township Range Page

29 North 5 East 1

29 North 6 East 2

29 North 7 East 3

30 North 4 East 4

30 North 5 East 5

31 North 6 East 6

32 North 4 East 7

32 North 6 East 8

32 North 7 East 9

33 North 4 East 7

33 Nortli 5 East 10

33 North 6 East 11

34 North 4 East 12

Township Range Page

34 North 5 East 13

34 North 7 East 14

35 North 4 East 15

35 North 5 East 16

36 North 4 East 17

36 North 5 East 18

36 North 6 East 19

36 North 7 East. 20

37 North 4 East.. 21

37 North 5 East.. 22

37 North 6 East 23

37 North 7 East 24

All maps have been mode from aeriol photographs

M l_, U l_ I \ I l^-

R.4E

R.5E

R.6E

R.7E

'^^A

h

ir>

r

T 36N

T.37N

-f^ >\^. '^^ -^ .v^^ '^

T. 35N ^

T.34N

;J^

I

^°3 ^- 1 1

T.36N

T.35N

Hi] T" .

T.34N

T.33N

T.32N

T.3IN

T.30N

T.29N

T. 28N

'

R.3E

R.4E

R.5E

R.6E

R.7E

DRAINAGE MAP
of

Liberty County

Showing Irrigated Areas

• •

n --'

1 1

^

MAP SYMBOL

INDEX

BOUNDARIES

TRANS FOR TA TION

COUNTY LINE

PAVED ROADS

NATIONAL FOREST LINE

= = = UNPAVED ROADS

DITCHES

■i-i-f RAILROADS

^^ CANALS OR DITCHES

03 STATE HIGHWAY

'DRAIN DITCHES

3S U.S. HIGHWAY

-PROPOSED DITCHES

O AIRPORT

STRUCTURES S

UNITS

\ DAM

¥i SPRING

^ DIKE

±. SWAMP

N-t^ FLUME

© GAUGING STATION

-HtH- SIPHON

□ POWER PLANT

•t^ SPILL

m STORAGE TANK

-0- SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Tti CEMETERY

>^ WEIR

© FAIRGROUND

•-"— ' PIPE LINE

■ FARM OR RANCH UNIT

• PUMP

:t: LOOKOUT STATION

PUMP SITE

i RANGER STATION

^^ RESERVOIR

< = = > RAILROAD TUNNEL

e WELL

1 SCHOOL

+ + + NATURAL CARRIER USED AS DITCH ^ SHAFT. MINE, OR DRIFT

1 1

^

1 I

Marias River

Pondgro Caul me

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Marias River

Twp. 29 North
Rge. 5 East

Rattlesnake Coulee

Wolfe Coulee

Marias River

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Basin Coulee-

Dugout Coulee

Wolfe Coulee

MEISSNER PUMP 8 SPRINKLER

Marias River

Twp. g9 Nort h
Rge. S^E QSt

Cottonwood Creek-

Hay Coulee-

Eight Mile Coulee-

Wolfe Coulee

Marias River

r:

JL-

II \ " V ^

SEVENTH
'- — Horse Coulee

PA /?/*J LLEL NOR TH

-Dead Indian Coulee

L EGEND

Private Irrigation

HILL

Marios River

COUNTY

CHOUTE AU

COUNTY

Twp 2 9 North
Rge 7 East

Eagl9 Creek .

TOOLE

COUNTY

T. 30N-R3 E,. _
T. 2SH-flS E=

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Twp. 30 North
Rge. i 4 East

CHESTER MUNICIPAL
WATER LINE

L EGEN D

Private Irrigation

^U.S.B.R.

DIKE-TIBER DAM

Marias Rl^sr

Six Mile Couise

Jyttp. 30 North
Rge. 5 East

■Tiber Coulee

Cottonwood Creek

Fey Coulee

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Laurwtger Couhe

Fey Coulee

Cottonwood Creetf

-Kjar Coulee

Twp. 31 North

RgR 6 East

Eagle Creek

TOOLE

Galofa Coulee

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

COUNTY

Tv/p. ^2 a 33 North
Rge. 4 East-

■Galato Coulee

Eagle Creek

■Cottonwood Creek
-Rock Coulee

PARALLEL

.. E 1/6 H T/H . STANDARD PARALLEL N

'J

T H

LEGEND
Private Irrigation

East Brancti
Alma Coulee

Tiber Coulee

-Tiber Coulee

Cottonwood Creek

-Manton Coulee

Twp 3_2_NQt±k

Rge _6_Easi_

EIGHTH STANDARD PARALLEL ^ NORTH

East Branch
Alma Coulee

Q.N.R.R

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

G N.R.R.

T 31 N-R 6 E

HILL

East Fork
Black Coulee

COUNTY

Twp 3 2 North
Rge.^^ 7 Eqgt

-Horsa Creek

Cottonwood Creek-

-PhflUplna Coulee

LEGEND

I Private Irrigation
Schudars Coulee

COLE DAMS

COLE DIKE a DITCH

Cottonwood Creeic

Jackson Coulee

Tv/p. 33 North
Rge. 5 Ea st

10

Doby Hill Coulee

Schudars Coulee

Cottonwood Coulee

Jackson Coulee

-Rock Coulee
■Cottonwood Coulee

S T/A N D A R D
Keith Coulee

P A R A C\L E L \ N O R T H

Abna Coulee-

-Heimbigner Coulee

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

O'Brien Coulee

Dry Lake Coulee

Heimbigner Coulee

Twp..
Rge-

II

Antelope Coulee

TOOLE

COUNTY

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Eagle Creek-

Horse Creek

Twp.^AJStOJlll
Rge. 4 East

12

Horse Creek

Corral Creek

Dry Fork Coulee
Davis Coulee

Cottonwood Creek

-Fllnk Coulee

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

T. 33 N-R4E

PMIIlplne Coulee

Horse Creek

Cottonwood Creek'

-PMIIlplne Coulee

Twp. 34 North
Rge. 5 East

13

Alkali Coulee

Brown Coulee

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Alkali Coulee

HILL

1 !/ n

O'Brien Coulee

COUNTY

-South Fork O'Brien Coulee

T 33N-R. 6E 7f ^S

O'Brien Coulee

H^^==-=====T=

I

Twp._S4_htortlL
Rge 7 East

14

Sweetgrass Coulee

Strawberry Creek

TOOLE

Snow Coulee

COUNTY

Snow Coulee

Strawberry Creek
I

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Corral Creek

JENSEN LANDING STRIP

Corral Creek

Antelope Coulee

Little Horse Creek

-Horse Creek

Twp. 35 N orth
Rge. 4__East_

Corral Creek

Corral Creek

JEPPESEN DITC^

Corral Creek

Toofsie Creek

Flink Coulee

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Desert Coulee

-Corral Creek

Cottonwood Creek

Twp.-

Rge.-

J_orllL
5 East

16

Hal f breed Creek .

STRATTON PUMP ft SPRINKLER^ni

-Keller Creek

TOOLE

COUNTY

■Bengore Creek
NORTH

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Strawberry Creek-

Snow Coulee

Sweetgrass Coulee-
N. Fk. Litlle Horse Creek

■Bengore Creek

Twp. 36 North
Rge 4 East

Bfngore Creek

-Lily Coulee
Dohr's Creek \ ,^Stratton Creek i—Deer Gulch

N l{N T H/ STAN OjA RD ^ PARALLEL

Big Coulee Mac Coulee — -7

orAh

^ — Corral Creek
-Sweetgrass Coulee

Spring Creek

Tootsle Creek

LEGEND

■ Private Irrigation
Chicken Coulee

-Sage Creek

North Fork Scotch Coulee

Scotch Coulee

Little Sage Creek

Antelope Coulee

Twp. 36 North
R g e. 5 East

le

OLD BOND DAM a DITCH
(NOT IN USE)

-Sage Creek

Chicken Creek

Sage Creek

North Fork _
Scotch Coulee

Scotch Coulee

Little Sage Creek

T 35 N-R 5 E

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Bobcat Coulee

Scotch Coulee

Little Sage Creek

Twp.

Rge 6_Easl

Bob Cat Coulee

Scotch Coufao

Sage Creek

DUNCAN DITCH

^ORTH ^ I

LEGEND

r°^ Private Irrigation

T 36 N-R. 6 E _j| -J^

t S5 N-R. 6 E r

Scotch Coulee

HILL

Sage Creek

COUNTY

Twp 36 North
Rge 7 East

20

Baar Creek

CANADIAN PORT OF ENTRY

TOOLE

COUNTY

BROWN DAMS
a DITCHES

Larson Cou/a&

Brown Reservoir
Half breed Creek

MONTANA POWER
GAS PLANT

North Coulee

CANADA

BOUNDARY

Half breed Creek-

Keller Creek
-Leach Coulee

' Bengore Creek

HALEY DITCH

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

Police Coulee

W. Fk. Police Coulee

Prey Coulee

Dohrs Creek

■Dohrs Creek

Twp._37 N.ocili
Rge.. 4 Eas_t_

21

North Fork Police
Coulee

Wast Fork Police
Coulee

Prey Coulee-

De/irs Creek-

ALBERTA CANADA

I NTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY LINE

\

Uj

T 37 N-R.4 E

II

>/

■^=^

J

/ MOUNT ULY^

T

32

'■ /

T 36 N R 4 E

NiNfTH

,2^

28

33,

7">J/V

SAGE CREEK CO

DITCHES^--' ^

34

Lily Coulee-
Joltr's Creek

STANDARD

Strotton Creek

26

—1/
II

tl
II

..4

OLD DITCH
(NOT IN USE)

36

X.

PA RA LjL EL

Big Coulee- — '

NORTH\
Mac Coulee -

r*

LEGEND

Private Irrigotion

-KInreed Coulee

-Coal Coulee

-Laird Creek

Twp. 37 North
Rge. 5 East

22

A L BERTA CANADA

Kinr99d Cou/0«

Coal Coulee

Laird Creak-

Chicken Coulee

BOND DITCH

s tanda"rd

-SAGE CREEK COLONY DITCHES

LEGEND

Private Irrigation

■Lost Coulee

^age Creek

Twp. 37 North
Rqe. 6 East

23

Lost Coulee-

Slmmlnook Creek

'.ost Coulee

INTERNA TION AL

A LBERTA CANADA

B OUND ARY

L / NE

L EGEND

I J Private Irrigation

HILL

COUNTY

Lo/rt/ Creek

Sage Creek

-Bob Cat Coulee

Sage Crsek

Twp. 37 North
Rge. 7 East

24