Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Senate bill would reaffirm state support for stream-gauge network used for irrigation, flood and recreation planning
Summary
Senate Bill 55 would codify legislative intent to maintain a coordinated stream-gauge network; sponsors and water stakeholders said gauges provide real-time data used by irrigators, water commissioners, recreationists and emergency managers, and that consistent funding and coordination are needed as federal and partner funding fluctuate.
HELENA — Senate Bill 55, carried by Sen. Willis Curdy, would clarify legislative intent and formally commit Montana to maintaining a coordinated stream-gauge system that provides real-time flow and related data used for irrigation management, flood forecasting and recreation.
Curdy told the House Natural Resources Committee the state’s stream-gauge system — operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the DNRC and tribal entities — is critical to water supply operations for irrigation and reservoirs, and to emergency planning for floods and drought. He cited recent examples in which restored gauges improved…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
