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Drought Management
Drought, and recurring low stream flow, was the driving force in the creation of the Big Hole Watershed Committee in 1995. After serious droughts in 1988 and 1994, locals finally decided something had to be done to minimize the occurrence and impacts of low stream flow. In 1997, the Big Hole Watershed Committee finalized the Drought Management Plan. This plan divides the river into four distinct reaches for managing low flow, and each reach has a flow level that governs recreation use and triggers voluntary irrigation limits. This plan has been used on the upper river many times and one occasion on the lower river. The plan has been successful in maintaining higher flow during drought years than was experienced during 1988 and 1994. The committee continues to refine the Drought Management Plan each year.
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