Montana has authority to designate a controlled ground water area to prevent new appropriations or limit certain types of water appropriations due to water availability or water quality problems for the protection of existing water rights [MCA 85-2-501 et. Seq.]

A petition may be filed by a state or local public health agency or by water users of ground or surface water. The petition must be filed with the Department pursuant to MCA 85-2-506 and provide facts showing one or more of the criteria listed therein exist.

East Valley - Reason for closure - Water quality - Lewis & Clark County