Honest Cattle · Beaverhead County
Water Rights
Water Rights & Land Ownership
Beaverhead is Montana’s southwest corner and the headwaters country of the Jefferson — Dillon is the county seat, anchoring one of the most rights-dense counties in the state. The Beaverhead, Big Hole, and Ruby rivers all rise here; Clark Canyon Reservoir backs water above Dillon. Senior priorities along the Big Hole and Beaverhead date to the 1860s placer-mining and early-irrigation era. Over 28,000 active rights.
Active rights pulled live from DNRC WRQS on 2026-06-01. Beaverhead spans six basins: 41A/41B (Beaverhead R.), 41C (Ruby R.), 41D (Big Hole R.), 41F (Madison side), 76G (Clark Fork — west-of-divide corner).
Beaverhead County Watershed Map
Search Beaverhead County water rights
- Water right format:
- 41A 12345 00 (Beaverhead) · 41D (Big Hole) · 41C (Ruby).
- Primary basins:
- 41A/41B Beaverhead · 41C Ruby · 41D Big Hole · 41F Madison side · 76G Clark Fork (west of divide).
- Senior priorities:
- Big Hole and Beaverhead rights from 1860s placer/irrigation; in dry years juniors close from newest down.
- Continental Divide:
- NW corner drains to the Clark Fork (basin 76G) — separate administrative basin.
- DNRC regional office:
- Bozeman Regional Office, 406-586-3136 (Dillon Unit).
- Clerk & Recorder:
- Beaverhead County, 406-683-3720.
Quick links
Data sources: Montana DNRC, MSL/DOR Cadastral, MBMG GWIC, USBR. Active rights pulled live from DNRC WRQS on 2026-06-01. Informational only.