Water Rights & Land Ownership
Ravalli County is the Bitterroot Valley — Hamilton is the county seat, nestled between the Bitterroot Range (W) and the Sapphire Mountains (E). The Bitterroot River runs N through the valley to its confluence with the Clark Fork at Missoula. With over 29,000 active water rights — the most of any Montana county — Ravalli’s record density reflects more than a century of intensive irrigation, orchard and small-farm development, and the valley’s senior 1860s mining-era priorities.
Active rights pulled live from DNRC WRQS on 2026-06-01. Ravalli spans two basins: 76H (Bitterroot R. main & tribs — dominant), 41D (Big Hole side at the SE corner).
Ravalli County Watershed Map
Search Ravalli County water rights
- Water right format:
- 76H 12345 00 (Bitterroot main & tribs).
- Primary basins:
- 76H Bitterroot R. (dominant) · 41D Big Hole side at SE corner.
- Senior priorities:
- 1860s placer/irrigation rights along the Bitterroot main are senior to most subsequent valley diversions. Painted Rocks Reservoir on the West Fork augments late-season flow.
- Subdivision context:
- Ravalli has the highest rate of rural residential subdivision in Montana — many small new wells over the past two decades; exempt-well density is high.
- DNRC regional office:
- Missoula Regional Office, 406-721-4284.
- Clerk & Recorder:
- Ravalli County, 406-375-6210.
Irrigated Acres — USDA Census
Ravalli County reported 54,991 irrigated acres in the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, down from 70,972 in 2017 — a change of −15,981 acres (−22.5%). These are acres that actually received irrigation in the census year, not all land equipped for irrigation.
Source: USDA 2022 Census of Agriculture, Table 10 (irrigated land, acres). See the Measuring Montana Moisture overview →
Quick links
Data sources: Montana DNRC, MSL/DOR Cadastral, MBMG GWIC. Active rights pulled live from DNRC WRQS on 2026-06-01. Informational only.