NRCS continues to provide technical assistance through Watershed Operations to watershed projects constructed under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, Public law 83-566. Montana NRCS has utilized this program extensively through the planning and installation of flood control, irrigation storage and conveyance, fish and wildlife habitat, and sediment retention, amongst other projects throughout Montana.
Project names and brief description include:
Big Spring Creek Watershed in Fergus County, MT – Four reservoir structures, Big Casino Creek, East Fork Creek, Hanson Creek, and Pike Creek Dams and the Mill Diversion Channel were constructed in the 1970’s for flood control and protection for the town of Lewistown, MT. The project as a whole also serves as a recreational resource to the area.
Box Elder Creek Watershed in Sheridan County, MT – The Box Elder Creek Dam was constructed in 1963. This reservoir provides flood control and protection for the town of Plentywood in addition to recreation resources for the area.
Cedar Creek Watershed in Flathead County - The Cedar Creek Dam was constructed in 1971. This structure provides flood control and protection as well as water supply for the town of Columbia Falls.
Lake Shel-oole in Toole County – The Cowpath and Sullivan Dams were constructed in 1967. These structures provide flood control and protection for the town of Shelby in addition to recreational resources for the area.
Jawbone Creek Watershed in Wheatland County – The Jawbone Dams were constructed in 1966. These flow-through structures provide flood control and protection for the town of Harlowton and remain dry most of the time.
Lower Willow Creek Watershed in Granite County – The Lower Willow Creek Dam was constructed in 1962 with upgrades in 1978. This structure stores irrigation water and provides recreational resources for the area as well as some flood protection for downstream properties.
Baker Lake Watershed in Fallon County – The Upper Baker Lake Dam was constructed in 1975. This structure works in partnership with the downstream Lake Baker to provide flood control and sediment retention for the town of Baker.
Beaver Creek Watershed in Hill County – The Beaver Creek Dam was constructed in 1974. This structure provides irrigation and recreation resources to the area in addition to flood control protection for the town of Havre.
Alkali Creek Watershed in Yellowstone County – This Diversion Dam and By-Pass Channel was constructed in 1976 in order to provide flood control for portions of the city of Billings.
Lower Birch Creek Watershed in Pondera County – The Lower Birch Creek Watershed Project comprises dozens of water control structures built during the 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s. These structures promote improved efficiency in irrigation water conveyance and grade stability within the Pondera Canal system.
Mill Creek Watershed in Park County – The Mill Creek Watershed Project spanned several years with multiple phases and involved construction of a combination of irrigation conveyance pipelines and canals. Construction was completed in 1990. Its purpose is to improve irrigation conveyance efficiency thereby maintaining higher streamflows within Mill Creek.
Wolf Creek Watershed in Fergus County – This project comprises flood control dikes and floodways constructed in the 1980’s for the protection of town of Denton.
Sidney Water Users in Richland County – The Sidney Water Users Project comprises a variety of canal improvement, pump, and sediment retention projects all for the purpose of irrigation system rehabilitation and improved conveyance efficiency. Construction was completed in 1970.
National Web site - Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program
