The pondera county canal and reservoir company, located in pondera county, montana, will automate the birch creek diversion by installing a supervisory control and data acquisition system and flow…

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded $488,131 to the Pondera County Canal & Reservoir Company on May 29, 2025, under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) Grant Program (CFDA 15.507) to automate the Birch Creek diversion in Pondera County, Montana. The project will deliver a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and flow measurement devices installed at strategic points throughout the irrigation system. These products will enable more accurate monitoring and management of irrigation flows, with completion anticipated by April 30, 2027.

The primary benefit of this project is improved water management efficiency, which is projected to conserve 2,975 acre-feet of water annually by reducing system inefficiencies and loss. By maintaining higher water levels in the upstream Birch Creek Reservoir, the project will enhance regional drought resilience and support water availability for agricultural and environmental purposes in central Montana. The WaterSMART program provides cost-shared funding for such water conservation and infrastructure improvement initiatives across the western United States, with projects typically ranging from $100,000 to $10 million over 1-3 year performance periods.

The pondera county canal and reservoir company, located in pondera county, montana, will automate the birch creek diversion by installing a supervisory control and data acquisition system and flow measurement devices at several strategic points throughout the irrigation system. The project will allow the company to more accurately monitor irrigation flows, thereby increasing the ability to effectively manage downstream deliveries. The project is expected to result in annual water savings of 2,975 acre-feet, currently lost to system inefficiencies. The project will help keep water in the upstream birch creek reservoir, fortifying the region s resilience to severe drought conditions.