Lewis and Clark County, Montana
Overview
Lewis and Clark County is a 3,498-square-mile ranching and mixed-use county in west-central Montana, anchored by Helena at the headwaters of the Missouri River system…
Weather & Moisture
Lewis and Clark County’s water supply is divided between two distinct systems…
Summary of Current Conditions
Data as of: April 6, 2026 | Source: USDA NRCS National Water and Climate Center
Lewis and Clark County enters spring 2026 with a deeply split snowpack picture…
| Station | Elev (ft) | SWE (in) | % of Median | Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Bottom | 5,200 | 0.0 | — | Lower Missouri headwaters |
| Wood Creek | 5,970 | 5.0 | 58% | Smith River drainage |
| Deadman Creek* | 6,440 | 6.8 | 71% | Smith River proxy |
| Nevada Ridge | 7,030 | 20.0 | 140% | Missouri headwaters |
| Copper Camp | 6,980 | 35.9 | — | Copper Creek basin |
Basin Index: Strong Missouri headwaters; weak Smith River drainage.
Forage & Range Conditions
Drought conditions across 68% of the county entering spring.
Water Rights & Land Ownership
Lewis and Clark County Water Rights & Land Ownership →
Hay & Winter Feed
Irrigated hay production centered in Helena Valley and Dearborn River.
Cattle Production
Estimated 40,000–60,000 cattle and calves.
County Logistics
Helena provides strong regional connectivity and access to markets.
Data Sources
- USDA NRCS
- USDA NASS
- USDA Market News
- NOAA