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State agencies brief WPIC on drought outlook, stream gages, Milk River Project and water research
Summary
DNRC and other state agencies briefed the Water Policy Interim Committee on the 2025 drought and fire outlook, stream gage data, the Milk River Project St. Mary siphon update, and ongoing water research; members asked for clarifications and detail to inform oversight and planning.
Multiple agency officials briefed the Water Policy Interim Committee July 30 on interrelated water-resource topics.
Michael Downey, DNRC drought program coordinator, and Shawn Thomas, state forester, presented the 2025 drought and fire outlook, describing current conditions, forecasts and implications for resource management. Anna Pakenham Stevenson delivered the stream gage report, summarizing monitoring status under the cited authority. Steve Darlinton of the Bureau of Reclamation provided an update on the Milk River Project's St. Mary siphon, answering member questions about operations and schedule. John Metesh, state geologist and director of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, described state water-research priorities and activities under the bureau's statute.
Committee members asked agency staff for clarifications on monitoring data, interagency coordination and resource needs; public commenters asked questions and reiterated conservation concerns. The session emphasized the interconnected nature of monitoring, infrastructure and research in planning for drought and wildfire risks.
