Project

Charlo Area Water Management Improvements

River or area

Mission Valley reservoirs and canals

Charlo

Program

Irrigation Infrastructure

Status

In design

Now

The Final Draft of the Integrated Water Management Plan is being developed.

Updated September 2023

Contact

Mark Simpson

Irrigation Infrastructure Program Manager
(406) 675-2700 ext. 1283

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Natural Resources Department
Division of Engineering & Water Resources

A clear canal runs through green pasture toward the snow-capped Mission Mountains. — G Canal Below the headworks, the Mission Mountains beyond

Two canals curve away from a small drop across sunlit grassland under a clear sky. — Below Ninepipe Reservoir Canals carrying water on across the fields

Project Overview

The Charlo Area Water Management Improvements project aims to rehabilitate and modernize the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project (FIIP) irrigation infrastructure serving the Charlo area. The instream flows and river diversion allowances of the CSKT Water Rights Compact require water management improvements to accomplish the water conservation objectives. Although other localized infrastructure projects are being implemented, the CSKT selected the Charlo area as the highest priority for implementing water management improvements at a larger geographic scale.

The existing irrigation diversion and distribution system is being evaluated to identify opportunities for improved water management to provide increased instream flows while limiting environmental effects and improving irrigation delivery service. This will be accomplished through upgrades to the river diversion structures and modernization of the irrigation distribution system.

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