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Crazy Mountain Ranch Softens Approach In Latest Battle Over Water
Author: Nick Mott, Mountain Journal

Crazy Mountain Ranch Softens Approach in Latest Battle Over Water

Nick Mott

Mountain Journal

Crazy Mountain Ranch says it wants ‘day-to-day’ control of key diversion structure. But opponents fear the request could reshape how water is managed across Montana.

This article was originally published in the Montana Free Press and The Mountain Journal. It is republished here courtesy of the Montana Free Press and The Mountain Journal.

A few miles downstream from a controversial invitation-only ranch in the Shields Valley, Rock Creek rushes over cobblestones with a hint of color, occasionally overtopping its banks with spring runoff. About 25 miles away, a pending decision on a Wednesday court hearing could impact who controls a key diversion, known as a headgate, on the creek — and the fate of the water and local ranching families who depend on it.

The Mountain Journal has written an extensive article about this important Montana water rights issue.

You can read the full article at our website: https://mt43news.com

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Image 1 Caption: The Crazy Mountain Ranch property at the base of the Crazy Mountains. Streamflows into Criswell Ditch (right side of image) were at the heart of the court hearing on Wednesday in Park County, Montana. Photo Credit: Ecoflight