Building a pond for your Montana home

Helpful tips in building a lake or pond in Montana

Water adds to the value of a property and brings endless enjoyment to your Montana property.

But water amenities are a big responsibility, according to Montana Department of Natural Resources.   

Living on waterfront property in Montana is a dream. (Photo by David Reese/Montana Living)

Here are some recommendations from Montana Department of Natural Resource and Conservation on what to be aware of in building your Montana pond or lake.

BUILDING YOUR MONTANA POND

Before beginning any project, set clear and realistic goals and do your homework.  A combination of property features, water access and water rights all determine the feasibility of water projects.

If not properly designed, constructed or maintained, ponds can cause serious problems for rivers, streams and wetlands.

Water pollution, invasive species, and lowered water levels are just a few troublesome issues posed by constructed ponds. It is crucial to hire an insured and bonded professional with ample experience to assess the potential hazards of installing a pond.  A typical pond will lose two acre-feet of water to evaporation each year for every acre of surface area. (One acre-foot equals just less than 326,000 gallons). Look for professionals who specialize in water-conserving design techniques, the DNRC says.

PREPARING YOUR MONTANA POND PROJECT

• Do you have options for a water source?
• Do you have or can you obtain the water rights?
• Can you obtain the proper permits?
• Have you considered the costs of liability for your "attractive nuisance"?
• Are you prepared for long term maintenance obligations?
• Have you determined the legalities of stocking the pond?
• Are you certain that the pond will not alter the natural water supply to the area?

When you can answer "Yes" to all, your project may legally proceed, according to the DNRC.

Many newcomers, as well as longtime residents are unaware of water laws and regulations that govern Montana's water use. Water in Montana actually belongs to the state.  The Doctrine of Prior Appropriation (first in time, first in right) governs the allocation of Montana's water resources.

You may or may not be able to obtain legal rights to water needed to fill a pond.  Surface water rights and ground water rights are different. In some areas, Controlled Ground Water Areas and Closed River Basins restrict certain types of new water rights due to water shortages.

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES AND PERMITTING

Contact your local Conservation District, Water Quality District and county offices to discuss your proposed project and local laws that pertain to construction activities on your property.  The stream flowing in your backyard may actually be an irrigation canal. Certain restrictions apply to what you may do in or near streams and irrigation canals.

Contact your local Department of Natural Resource and Conservation (DNRC) office or Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to learn more about water rights in your area.  

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

406-444-2449 and fwpfishadmin@mt.gov

A new law requires private-pond owners with fish-stocking permits that are 10 years old or older to renew permits every 10 years.  Contact Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (406) 444-7319 or npodolinsky@mt.gov if you have an un-renewed pond-stocking permit that was issued before January 1, 1998.


For more information:

"A Guidebook for Montana's Ponds" Montana Watercourse. 994-1910 or http://www.mtwatercourse.org/Publications/Publications.htm.  

"Water Rights in Montana" DRNC (406) 444-6610 or http://dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_rts/default.asp .   

"Stream Permitting Guide" DRNC (406) 444-6610 http://dnrc.mt.gov/permits/streampermitting/guide.asp. 


Montana Watercourse fosters stewardship of Montana water resources through water education materials.  The organization is housed on the MSU campus as part of the Montana Water Center.