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WATER RIGHTS, ALLOCATION, AND CONFLICTS IN THE TONGUE RIVER BASIN, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA 1
Author(s) -
Hickcox David H.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1980.tb02490.x
Subject(s) - drainage basin , interbasin transfer , structural basin , water quality , hydrology (agriculture) , water right , environmental science , water resources , geology , water resource management , geography , geomorphology , ecology , cartography , geotechnical engineering , biology
Southeastern Montana's Tongue River basin is experienceing rapid development of its extensive coal deposits which is significantly impacting the basin's hydrologic systems. Energy development projects may require more water than is available and threatens to dewater the river, degrade water quality, and endanger aquatic econosystems. The Montana Water Use Act promised to end the uncertainty which has existed in Montana water law. However, serious difficulties have been encountered in implementing the law and Tongue River water rights remain in a state of uncertainty. The Tongue River's water was allocated in 1978 but the division of the river's water is meaningless due to Indian lawsuits and lack of an agreement between Montana and Wyoming concerning the Yellowstone River Compact. Thus water which is hydrologically available may not be legally available.