Honest Cattle · Powell County
Water Rights
Water Rights & Land Ownership
Powell County is the upper Clark Fork / lower Blackfoot county — Deer Lodge is the county seat (different from Deer Lodge County to the south). The Clark Fork enters from the south at Garrison; the Blackfoot River drains east-to-west across the county; Nevada Creek joins the Blackfoot at Helmville. Senior priorities along the Clark Fork main go back to the 1870s. Over 10,800 active rights.
Active rights pulled live from DNRC WRQS on 2026-06-01. Powell spans five basins: 41E (Missouri/Three Forks side — small E edge), 41I (Missouri headwaters edge), 76F/76G (Clark Fork main), 76J (Blackfoot).
Powell County Watershed Map
Search Powell County water rights
- Water right format:
- 76G 12345 00 (Clark Fork) · 76J (Blackfoot) · 76F (Clark Fork trib).
- Primary basins:
- 76G Clark Fork main · 76J Blackfoot · 76F Clark Fork trib · 41E/41I Missouri side (E edge).
- Superfund context:
- Upper Clark Fork sediment Operable Unit continues through Powell — water-quality remediation overlays flow rights.
- DNRC regional office:
- Missoula Regional Office, 406-721-4284 (Helena serves E edge).
- Clerk & Recorder:
- Powell County, 406-846-9786.
Quick links
Data sources: Montana DNRC, MSL/DOR Cadastral, MBMG GWIC, EPA. Active rights pulled live from DNRC WRQS on 2026-06-01. Informational only.