Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Water Resources Division State Water Projects Bureau Kevin B. Smith, P.E., Chief

DNRC - SWP Administers the Operation and Maintenance of State-Owned Water Storage Projects. State Water Conservation Board – Created in 1934 – Main goals to build water infrastructure projects and reduce unemployment Majority of Projects built Active Storage Projects remain. Consists of 24 Dams; 250 miles of Canals; one Hydro Facility Approximately 300,000 Ac-Ft (Shares) Marketed Provide technical assistance to MT DFWP and State Trust Lands.

Survey of Power Generation Capacity (excerpt). 1)Study economic and environmental feasibility of small-scale hydroelectric facility construction and operation with periodic updates. Considerations: (a) estimated cost of construction; (b) estimated cost of maintaining, repairing, and operating; (c) estimated cost of tying into an existing power distribution channel; (d) ability of public utilities or rural electric cooperatives to lease and operate; (e) debt burden to be serviced; (f) expected revenue; (g) reasonable rate of return on the investment; and (h) potential impacts on water supply and stream flows. 2)Periodic updates to energy and telecommunication committees on past and current assessments History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 275, L

Sale of Power and Allocation of Revenue (excerpt) (1)Public service commission requires utilities/cooperatives to purchase power under rates and terms established in through if no mutually agreeable contract or price with operator (2)Revenue deposited in the state water project special revenue account to cover repair, rehabilitation, and financing of state-owned water projects. History: En. Sec. 10, Ch. 503, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 370, L

Projects Recently Studied Cooney Reservoir Tongue River Reservoir Painted Rocks Reservoir Ruby River Reservoir

Cooney Reservoir

Tongue River Reservoir

Instream Storage Tongue River Irrigates ~30,000 acres Tongue River

Painted Rocks

Ruby – Conceptual LLOW Mods

Reasons to Generate Revenue Flood Damage Failed Structures Planned Rehabilitation Efforts Limited Established Funding Sources

EAST FORK ROCK CREEK