HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-09-17 CC Mtg - A5. Resolution 4728, Adoption of Drought Management PlanCommission Memorandum
Report To:
From:
Subject:
Meeting Date:
Agenda Item Type:
Honorable Mayor and City Commission
Lain Leoniak, Water Resources Manager
Craig Woolard, Director of Public Works
City of Bozeman Drought Management Plan
January 9, 2017
Action Item
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution Relating to the City of Bozeman’s Drought
Management Plan.
Background: The Drought Management Plan (DMP) sets forth a complete Plan to prepare for
impacts from drought events and includes measures to be implemented for short-term response
to drought events. This proactive planning effort establishes a framework in which to protect the
health and safety of the community and efficiently and cost-effectively reduce economic impacts
from drought.
The Drought Management Plan was prepared by the Water Conservation Division and the firm
of AE2S, in conjunction with the Drought Management Team-a group of City and County
Hazard Mitigation and Emergency Management staff and local water resources and drought
experts. The DMP includes Drought Severity Indicators, Drought Response Actions and
Response Measures and Program Enforcement. A summary of the Drought Management Plan is
attached.
Two elements of the DMP that are described in the Plan will require subsequent action by the
City Commission after the Plan’s adoption. Specifically, the Commission will need to determine
whether or not to develop and implement a strategic water reserve to be made available during
times of drought and water shortage. The Commission will also need to determine if
amendments to the municipal code are necessary as to enforcement actions associated with
violation of the response measures during mandatory watering restrictions when drought stage 2,
3, or 4 are declared.
Alternatives: As suggested by the Commission.
Fiscal Effects: Fiscal effects related to the implementation of the Drought Management Plan
will be defined with the City’s formal fiscal budget process. The FY 2019 Capital Improvements
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Plan and annual budget will identify budget needs for Drought Management Plan
recommendation items adopted by the Commission.
Attachments: Resolution No. 4728 and the Drought Management Plan (with appendices)
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City of Bozeman Drought Management Plan Summary
1 INTRODUCTION
The Drought Management Plan is designed to maximize available water supplies and reduce water use
during times of shortage and provide guidelines the City of Bozeman will use to manage water supply and
water use during drought. The guidelines are designed to maintain the health, safety and economic vitality
of the community; to avoid adverse impacts to public activity and quality of life for the community; and
to consider individual customer needs as much as possible to the greatest extent possible in the face of
water shortages.
Because each drought is different, it is not practical to develop a set of hard-and-fast rules to apply to all
droughts. Rather, these guidelines are intended to provide a framework for timely drought response while
maintaining flexibility to respond to unique drought conditions. These guidelines are intended to assist
the Bozeman City Commission (the Commission) in making decisions throughout the course of a drought.
The Commission may adjust or refine the response based on actual drought conditions.
Drought is a natural occurring phenomenon that may affect any climate zone in any part of the world at
a given time. Depending on drought severity and characteristics of the area, the repercussions of drought
can be significant - impacting local economies, disrupting quality of life, and disturbing the health and
welfare of a population and its environment.1
Chronic drought is a part of the Gallatin Valley’s history and is of particular concern to the City of Bozeman
as the City has experienced rapid growth in recent decades. The impact of drought on Bozeman is further
compounded by its location in the headwaters of the Gallatin River watershed, the susceptibility of the
City’s source waters to drought conditions and limited water storage.
This Plan was designed with input from the City of Bozeman Drought Management Team and community
stakeholders. Drought Team Members comprise a diverse group of water supply experts in the community
and City staff. Team members are identified in Appendix A.
The Plan is based on an analysis of Bozeman’s climate and available water supplies, a review of other
drought plans from across the United States and lessons learned from past drought events in communities
throughout the Western United States. As this is the City of Bozeman’s first Drought Management Plan,
it will be updated regularly to ensure that it addresses current conditions and will be administered by the
City of Bozeman’s Public Works Division (Bozeman Water).
1.1 Drought Management Plan Objectives
The following objectives were developed as a result of this process.
Preserve essential public services during any level of drought severity.
1 https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/news/drought-monitoring-economic-environmental-and-social-impacts
676
Reduce adverse impacts on public health, safety, economic activity, environmental resources, and
quality of life during a drought event.
Provide a complete but flexible roadmap to guide implementation and enforcement of the
Drought Management Plan.
Develop an effective public communications strategy to raise the level of drought awareness
throughout the community and to provide sufficient information about the importance of
drought preparedness and response and the public’s role in the effective implementation of the
response measures set forth herein.
Coordinate drought management with the City of Bozeman’s water supply planning efforts and
regional policies and planning initiatives. This includes City, County, and State laws and
regulations, the City of Bozeman’s Water Conservation Program and Gallatin County’s Hazard
Mitigation and Emergency Response Plans.
1.2 Drought Management Plan Components
The Drought Management Plan consists of:
Drought Severity Indicators (Vulnerability Assessment and Drought Monitoring) – Factors that
should be considered in choosing appropriate drought response.
Drought Mitigation and Response Actions – Guidelines for generating additional water supplies
and reducing water use during times of drought.
Drought Response Program – Strategies for reducing water use during each stage of drought and
enforcement actions for violations.
1.3 Defining Drought
While drought is a widely-used term, there is no single universally-accepted definition of drought. From a
meteorological perspective, drought is defined as an extended period of below average precipitation for
a given region. Hydrologic drought refers to reduced stream flows, reservoirs, lakes and groundwater to
below-normal levels and tend to lag behind the onset of low precipitation due to the buffering effects of
soil moisture, groundwater and snowpack. Droughts are most often discussed from this perspective when
water shortages begin to impact people in terms of water supply, loss of hydropower production, loss of
fisheries, agricultural production losses and food shortages. Thus, drought is most commonly thought of
as an interplay between climate and water-dependent processes. Often, drought is defined by its effects
rather than its causes.
For the City of Bozeman, a drought is a condition of insufficient water supplies caused by deficits in
precipitation and hydrologic conditions. When the amount of water flowing in streams and into
reservoirs is less than average, the City of Bozeman will more closely monitor its water supply outlook. If
continued low stream flows stress water supplies, Bozeman Water will seek Commission approval to
implement the Drought Management Plan. The extent and duration of implementation will depend on
actual drought conditions. Unfortunately, no one can predict how long drought conditions will last once
they begin.
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1.4 Water Supplies
Drought indicators are based on quantification of available water supplies which are set forth in the City
of Bozeman’s Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) and the estimated amount of water available from
its collection system to meet customer demand.2 Bozeman Water’s collection system is designed to
dependably meet the needs of customers over the next twenty years.3 Figure 1-1 depicts Bozeman’s
existing water supply sources.
Figure Error! No text of specified style in document.- 1: Regional Map of the City of Bozeman's Water Supply
Sources
The water supply data set forth in the IWRP is incorporated into monitoring near and long-term water
availability, with the goal of providing a framework for predicting future drought probability, or confirming
the intensity of an existing drought. A robust monitoring plan is critical to recognize and respond as soon
as possible to the onset of a drought event. This is of particular importance in light of the fact that
currently, year over year storage is not part of reservoir management practice, which can rapidly change
the severity of impacts from drought events.
As a part of this Drought Management Plan, it is recommended that upon approval by the Commission,
the City develop a strategic water reserve from Bozeman’s water supplies to provide protection against
circumstances such as climate change or drought conditions of greater severity than have been projected
2 City of Bozeman Integrated Water Resources Plan, EX-2 (2013).
3 Id.
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to occur within the thirty year planning horizon.4 Implementation and operation of the strategic water
reserve will be determined by the Commission, subsequent to the adoption of this Plan.
1.5 Strategic Water Reserve
Strategic water reserves are volumes of water set aside by a utility or water purveyor for use in a
drought or other water shortage emergency. In recent years, several utilities have established water
reserves to provide water resiliency in the event of a prolonged or severe drought event.5 The
development of a strategic water reserve necessitates that water is set aside and removed from the
accounting used to determine the water supply available for additional population growth.
Consideration of a strategic water reserve is recommended for the City of Bozeman to reduce future
drought vulnerability. This reserve could comprise existing water rights stored from Hyalite Reservoir or
from aquifer storage, from water saved as a result of water conservation measures or established via
private agreement with interested parties. If a drought was especially severe and persistent, having a
drought reserve that could ensure enough water to provide minimum water usage to the next wet
weather period would be prudent. The volume of a reserve will be determined by the City Commission
after review of additional information specific to the City of Bozeman’s water supplies in order to
facilitate the development of a strategic water reserve.
1.6 Long Term Drought Mitigation Efforts
The drought response actions set forth in this Plan should not be confused with long term drought
mitigation. Bozeman Water engages in long term drought mitigation through on-going water conservation
efforts and supply projects outlined in Bozeman’s Integrated Water Resources Plan.
The City of Bozeman’s semi-arid climate requires water efficiency become a way of life. The City of
Bozeman’s Water Conservation Program has been effective in reducing water consumption and is
committed to water efficiency and customer outreach. While the City of Bozeman has a separate water
conservation program and water conservation savings goal, water conservation program development is
directly linked to drought mitigation. For more information about how water conservation is an integral
component of long-term drought management and what Bozeman Water is doing to increase water
resiliency, please visit www.bozemanwater.com.
Despite these long term water planning efforts, because of drought, there will be times when further
water use reductions are needed in addition to standard water conservation efforts. Drought restrictions
that are part of a response plan indicate urgency and are not intended for long-term application.
Because it is unknown how customers will respond during declared droughts, the reduction targets
presented in this Plan have been established based on documented achievable reductions in other
4 Id. At Appendix A: Climate Change Adjustments to Firm Yield and Demand for Bozeman, MT, Technical
Memorandum.
5 Examples include Albuquerque, Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, Santa Fe, Denver Water, Truckee
Meadows Water Authority.
679
drought-prone communities in the Western United States, best practice and what is achievable and
necessary to mitigate economic impacts from drought and to preserve public health and safety.
1.7 Drought Communications
Drought communications are an integral component of this Plan and will be closely coordinated with the
Water Conservation Division to provide information regarding water resiliency and conservation.
Messaging will promote the importance of conserving water and achieving water savings in both normal
and drought years.
During non-drought years, drought communications will consist of resources and information regarding
customer-driven long-term drought mitigation efforts, general drought information and drought
preparedness tools to the community.
During a drought, the messages will increase in frequency and will include information on the stages of
drought declared by the Commission and the various response actions requested or required from
Bozeman residents in order to reduce impacts from drought.
Drought messaging will provide clear and effective drought information to Bozeman Water customers
and the media, adjust the scope of public education and outreach efforts pursuant to the drought stage,
and coordinate public communication efforts with county planning and hazard mitigation personnel,
nearby municipal entities, state agencies, and other conservation-focused organizations to convey,
where appropriate, a consistent drought message.
680
COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4728
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN,
MONTANA, ADOPTING THE CITY OF BOZEMAN DROUGHT MANAGEMENT
PLAN
WHEREAS, the Bozeman City Commission is authorized pursuant to the laws of the
State of Montana including § 7-13-4402 M.C.A. (2016), to adopt, enter into, and carry out
means for securing a supply of water for the use of the City and its inhabitants; and
WHEREAS, the Bozeman City Commission is responsible for providing current and future
customers with a reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective supply of high quality drinking water at
all times and is committed to making the highest and best use of our local water resources; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman is authorized pursuant to the Bozeman Municipal Code
Section 40.02.1270 et. seq. to implement outdoor and indoor watering restrictions, prohibit
wasting water and provide for the enforcement of said restrictions and prohibitions and penalties;
and
WHEREAS, the City has determined that water use efficiency and conservation
programs, which are key components of its sustainable resource management strategy, have
been identified as a significant source of generating additional water supplies needed to meet
current and future demands; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding successful reductions in water consumption during the
past two years with support from the City of Bozeman’s Water Conservation Program, despite
increases in population and drier than average years, the City of Bozeman’s water supplies in
the Sourdough, Hyalite and Lyman Creek drainages will be increasingly susceptible to
shortages during periods of severe drought; and
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WHEREAS, the City Commission is committed to drought preparedness pursuant to the
Integrated Water Resources Plan adopted by the Bozeman City Commission in 2013 which
recommends the development of a drought management plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman, Montana, that:
Section 1
The City Commission of the City of Bozeman adopts the Drought Management Plan.
Section 2
A copy of the Drought Management Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and incorporated
herein for all intents and purposes.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman,
Montana, at a regular session thereof held on the 9th
day of January, 2017.
___________________________________
CARSON TAYLOR
Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________________
ROBIN CROUGH
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
GREG SULLIVAN
City Attorney
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1 INTRODUCTION
The Drought Management Plan is designed to maximize available water supplies and reduce water use
during times of shortage and provide guidelines the City of Bozeman will use to manage water supply and
water use during drought. The guidelines are designed to maintain the health, safety and economic vitality
of the community; to avoid adverse impacts to public activity and quality of life for the community; and
to consider individual customer needs as much as possible to the greatest extent possible in the face of
water shortages.
Because each drought is different, it is not practical to develop a set of hard-and-fast rules to apply to all
droughts. Rather, these guidelines are intended to provide a framework for timely drought response while
maintaining flexibility to respond to unique drought conditions. These guidelines are intended to assist
the Bozeman City Commission (the Commission) in making decisions throughout the course of a drought.
The Commission may adjust or refine the response based on actual drought conditions.
Drought is a natural occurring phenomenon that may affect any climate zone in any part of the world at
a given time. Depending on drought severity and characteristics of the area, the repercussions of drought
can be significant - impacting local economies, disrupting quality of life, and disturbing the health and
welfare of a population and its environment.1
Chronic drought is a part of the Gallatin Valley’s history and is of particular concern to the City of Bozeman
as the City has experienced rapid growth in recent decades. The impact of drought on Bozeman is further
compounded by its location in the headwaters of the Gallatin River watershed, the susceptibility of the
City’s source waters to drought conditions and limited water storage.
This Plan was designed with input from the City of Bozeman Drought Management Team and community
stakeholders. Drought Team Members comprise a diverse group of water supply experts in the community
and City staff. Team members are identified in Appendix A.
The Plan is based on an analysis of Bozeman’s climate and available water supplies, a review of other
drought plans from across the United States and lessons learned from past drought events in communities
throughout the Western United States. As this is the City of Bozeman’s first Drought Management Plan,
it will be updated regularly to ensure that it addresses current conditions and will be administered by the
City of Bozeman’s Public Works Division (Bozeman Water).
1.1 Drought Management Plan Objectives
The following objectives were developed as a result of this process.
• Preserve essential public services during any level of drought severity.
• Reduce adverse impacts on public health, safety, economic activity, environmental resources, and
quality of life during a drought event.
1 https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/news/drought-monitoring-economic-environmental-and-social-impacts
687
5
• Provide a complete but flexible roadmap to guide implementation and enforcement of the
Drought Management Plan.
• Develop an effective public communications strategy to raise the level of drought awareness
throughout the community and to provide sufficient information about the importance of
drought preparedness and response and the public’s role in the effective implementation of the
response measures set forth herein.
• Coordinate drought management with the City of Bozeman’s water supply planning efforts and
regional policies and planning initiatives. This includes City, County, and State laws and
regulations, the City of Bozeman’s Water Conservation Program and Gallatin County’s Hazard
Mitigation and Emergency Response Plans.
1.2 Drought Management Plan Components
The Drought Management Plan consists of:
Drought Severity Indicators (Vulnerability Assessment and Drought Monitoring) – Factors that
should be considered in choosing appropriate drought response.
Drought Mitigation and Response Actions – Guidelines for generating additional water supplies
and reducing water use during times of drought.
Drought Response Program – Strategies for reducing water use during each stage of drought and
enforcement actions for violations.
1.3 Defining Drought
While drought is a widely-used term, there is no single universally-accepted definition of drought. From a
meteorological perspective, drought is defined as an extended period of below average precipitation for
a given region. Hydrologic drought refers to reduced stream flows, reservoirs, lakes and groundwater to
below-normal levels and tend to lag behind the onset of low precipitation due to the buffering effects of
soil moisture, groundwater and snowpack. Droughts are most often discussed from this perspective when
water shortages begin to impact people in terms of water supply, loss of hydropower production, loss of
fisheries, agricultural production losses and food shortages. Thus, drought is most commonly thought of
as an interplay between climate and water-dependent processes. Often, drought is defined by its effects
rather than its causes.
For the City of Bozeman, a drought is a condition of insufficient water supplies caused by deficits in
precipitation and hydrologic conditions. When the amount of water flowing in streams and into
reservoirs is less than average, the City of Bozeman will more closely monitor its water supply outlook. If
continued low stream flows stress water supplies, Bozeman Water will seek Commission approval to
implement the Drought Management Plan. The extent and duration of implementation will depend on
actual drought conditions. Unfortunately, no one can predict how long drought conditions will last once
they begin.
688
6
1.4 Water Supplies
Drought indicators are based on quantification of available water supplies which are set forth in the City
of Bozeman’s Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) and the estimated amount of water available from
its collection system to meet customer demand.2 Bozeman Water’s collection system is designed to
dependably meet the needs of customers over the next twenty years.3 Figure 1-1 depicts Bozeman’s
existing water supply sources.
Figure 1- 1: Regional Map of the City of Bozeman's Water Supply Sources
The water supply data set forth in the IWRP is incorporated into monitoring near and long-term water
availability, with the goal of providing a framework for predicting future drought probability, or confirming
the intensity of an existing drought. A robust monitoring plan is critical to recognize and respond as soon
as possible to the onset of a drought event. This is of particular importance in light of the fact that
currently, year over year storage is not part of reservoir management practice, which can rapidly change
the severity of impacts from drought events.
As a part of this Drought Management Plan, it is recommended that upon approval by the Commission,
the City develop a strategic water reserve from Bozeman’s water supplies to provide protection against
circumstances such as climate change or drought conditions of greater severity than have been projected
2 City of Bozeman Integrated Water Resources Plan, EX-2 (2013).
3 Id.
689
7
to occur within the thirty year planning horizon.4 Implementation and operation of the strategic water
reserve will be determined by the Commission, subsequent to the adoption of this Plan.
1.5 Strategic Water Reserve
Strategic water reserves are volumes of water set aside by a utility or water purveyor for use in a
drought or other water shortage emergency. In recent years, several utilities have established water
reserves to provide water resiliency in the event of a prolonged or severe drought event.5 The
development of a strategic water reserve necessitates that water is set aside and removed from the
accounting used to determine the water supply available for additional population growth.
Consideration of a strategic water reserve is recommended for the City of Bozeman to reduce future
drought vulnerability. This reserve could comprise existing water rights stored from Hyalite Reservoir or
from aquifer storage, from water saved as a result of water conservation measures or established via
private agreement with interested parties. If a drought was especially severe and persistent, having a
drought reserve that could ensure enough water to provide minimum water usage to the next wet
weather period would be prudent. The volume of a reserve will be determined by the City Commission
after review of additional information specific to the City of Bozeman’s water supplies in order to
facilitate the development of a strategic water reserve.
1.6 Long Term Drought Mitigation Efforts
The drought response actions set forth in this Plan should not be confused with long term drought
mitigation. Bozeman Water engages in long term drought mitigation through on-going water conservation
efforts and supply projects outlined in Bozeman’s Integrated Water Resources Plan.
The City of Bozeman’s semi-arid climate requires water efficiency become a way of life. The City of
Bozeman’s Water Conservation Program has been effective in reducing water consumption and is
committed to water efficiency and customer outreach. While the City of Bozeman has a separate water
conservation program and water conservation savings goal, water conservation program development is
directly linked to drought mitigation. For more information about how water conservation is an integral
component of long-term drought management and what Bozeman Water is doing to increase water
resiliency, please visit www.bozemanwater.com.
Despite these long term water planning efforts, because of drought, there will be times when further
water use reductions are needed in addition to standard water conservation efforts. Drought restrictions
that are part of a response plan indicate urgency and are not intended for long-term application.
Because it is unknown how customers will respond during declared droughts, the reduction targets
presented in this Plan have been established based on documented achievable reductions in other
4 Id. At Appendix A: Climate Change Adjustments to Firm Yield and Demand for Bozeman, MT, Technical
Memorandum.
5 Examples include Albuquerque, Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, Santa Fe, Denver Water, Truckee
Meadows Water Authority.
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8
drought-prone communities in the Western United States, best practice and what is achievable and
necessary to mitigate economic impacts from drought and to preserve public health and safety.
1.7 Drought Communications
Drought communications are an integral component of this Plan and will be closely coordinated with the
Water Conservation Division to provide information regarding water resiliency and conservation.
Messaging will promote the importance of conserving water and achieving water savings in both normal
and drought years.
During non-drought years, drought communications will consist of resources and information regarding
customer-driven long-term drought mitigation efforts, general drought information and drought
preparedness tools to the community.
During a drought, the messages will increase in frequency and will include information on the stages of
drought declared by the Commission and the various response actions requested or required from
Bozeman residents in order to reduce impacts from drought.
Drought messaging will provide clear and effective drought information to Bozeman Water customers
and the media, adjust the scope of public education and outreach efforts pursuant to the drought stage,
and coordinate public communication efforts with county planning and hazard mitigation personnel,
nearby municipal entities, state agencies, and other conservation-focused organizations to convey,
where appropriate, a consistent drought message.
2 DROUGHT SEVERITY INDICATORS
Drought severity indicators identify risks to critical resources during drought and the factors that
contribute to those risks. This Plan divides these indicators into two categories: (1) vulnerability
assessment and (2) drought monitoring. During a drought, the Commission will consider drought
severity indicators in choosing the appropriate drought response actions. The Drought Response Actions
section below shows how the drought severity indicators align with the suggested drought response
framework.
2.1 Vulnerability Assessment
Risks to critical water resources in the Bozeman area combine the frequency of occurrence, magnitude
and severity, and consequences of drought. The vulnerability assessment drives the development of
potential drought mitigation and response actions. Assessing the level of risk requires a review of past
drought impacts, and an analysis of historical water supply and water use trends which demonstrates how
trends may change over time.
The City of Bozeman is extremely vulnerable to drought due to a long history of drought in the region,
increased potential for impacts from climate change, increased risks for wildfire, rapid population growth,
dramatic increases in water use during the summer months, and the needs of other water users in the
watershed.
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2.1.1 Drought History
Southwestern Montana has experienced severe drought in its recorded history and is located in a region
that appears to be relatively prone to drought conditions according to historical Palmer Drought Severity
Index data. Figure 2-1 represents the historical Palmer Drought Severity Index. Based on the figure,
southwestern Montana has been in severe or extreme drought 15% to 19.9% of the time between 1895
and 1995, which is significant given only two other areas of the continental U.S. in southwest Wyoming
and south central Colorado appear to be more susceptible to drought conditions.
Figure 2- 1: Palmer Drought Severity Index for the United States (1895-1995)
In addition, recent improvements in paleoclimate data examination using tree-ring analysis indicate that
more severe and prolonged droughts have occurred in the region than are reflected by recorded history.6
Figure 2-2 shows the historical snow water equivalent from tree ring data in the Upper Missouri Basin for
the last six hundred years. The historical data indicate that prolonged and severe drought in the area is
chronic, and the importance of adequately preparing for such periods via the completion of this Drought
Management Plan is a necessary step to increasing water security for the City of Bozeman.
6 Ault, T. R., Cole, J. E., Overpeck, J. T., Pederson, G. T., & Meko, D. M. (2014). Assessing the risk of persistent
drought using climate model simulations and paleoclimate data. Journal of Climate, 27(20), 7529-7549; See also,
City of Bozeman Integrated Water Resources Plan (2013).
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10
Figure 2- 2: Historical Streamflow and Snow Water Equivalent Trends from Tree-Ring Data for the Upper
Missouri Basin
In the more recent past, the Bozeman area experienced moderate to extreme drought in several months
between 2000 and 2006. Figure 2-3 illustrates rainfall and temperature in the Bozeman region from 1990-
2012, and while it does not evaluate snowpack, it is still a very relevant illustration of water impacts in
Bozeman as late spring and early summer precipitation and evapotranspiration rates are strongly
correlated to Bozeman water demand. 7
7 National Drought Mitigation Center Drought Risk Atlas: http://droughtatlas.unl.edu/
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Figure 2- 3: Monthly Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) for Bozeman Region (1990-2012)
2.1.2 Potential Climate Change Impacts
Climate change models predict warming in the region and longer dry spells which could reduce snowfall
and result in earlier melting of the snowpack and increased evapotranspiration in the area.8 Even without
any changes in precipitation intensity, this could lead to a shift in peak stream runoff to early spring or
even late winter, away from the mid to late summer when water demand is greatest. Warming
temperatures could also cause more precipitation to occur in the form of rain instead of snow.
All of the City’s water supply sources are heavily reliant on snowpack, which has generally been decreasing
in the region since approximately 1980.9 Climate change models predict snowpack will decrease
substantially in coming years due to early spring warming.10 Additionally, climate models demonstrate
increased climate variability rather than a linear trend due to a combination of climate change and natural
variability as shown in Figure 2-4.11
8 Barnett, T. P., Adam, J. C., & Lettenmaier, D. P. (2005). Potential impacts of a warming climate on water
availability in snow-dominated regions. Nature, 438(7066), 303-309.
9 Pederson, G. T., S. T. Gray, C. A. Woodhouse, J. L. Betancourt, D. B. Fagre, J. S. Littell, E. Watson, B. H. Luckman,
and L. J. Graumlich (2011), The unusual nature of recent snowpack declines in the North American
Cordillera, Science, 333(6040), 332–335, doi:10.1126/science.
10 UW Climate Impacts Group – http://cses.washington.edu/cig/
11 Gray, S. T., Betancourt, J. L., Jackson, S. T., & Eddy, R. G. (2006). Role of multi-decadal climate variability in a
range extension of pinyon pine. Ecology, 87(5), 1124-1130.
694
12
Figure 2- 4: Future Climate Trend Consisting of Natural Variability and Climate Change
Climate variability must be taken into account with future consideration of drought management and
response due to the increased probability of long-term drought, and an increase in the magnitude and
related impacts of short-term drought. Due to current limitations on accounting for storage of water from
a previous water year and the reliance on snowpack, a severe short-term drought could have significant
impacts.
Figure 2-5 shows the historical April snowpack for the Missouri River headwaters area, as well as the
United States Geological Survey’s projection of future snowpack based on two levels of solar radiation.
Regardless of solar radiation levels, the overall estimates predict substantial reductions in April
snowpack.
Figure 2- 5: Historical and Projected April Snow for Missouri River Headwaters Region (Mean Mode)
Figure 2-6 is a compilation of Hyalite snowpack snow water equivalent data with non-exceedance
projections based on historical values depicted on the graph. The term non-exceedance is used to
describe a method of cumulative frequency analysis and refers to how likely various changes in the
current snowpack are to occur based on historical data. The graph in Figure 2-6 displays non-exceedance
projections which correspond to the amount of time that the snowpack has historically held more water
on the same date as the current measurement.
The graph projects that over time the snowpack snow water equivalent will decrease as less snow water
is present in the snowpack, and what is present melts earlier in the spring.
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Figure 2- 6: Hyalite Creek Snowpack Snow Water Equivalent
An early snowpack melt occurred in 2016, and local spring rains contributed to that occurrence.
Regionally, early snowpack melt has been occurring with what appears to be increasing frequency.12 The
early occurrence of winter and spring snowmelt is anticipated to place increased strain on the adequacy
of the City of Bozeman’s water supplies in the late summer and fall months. The arrow in Figure 2-6
illustrates the predicted trend for future snowpack and timing of snowmelt.
12 Gregory T. Pederson, et al, (2011). Climatic Controls on the Snowmelt Hydrology of the Northern Rocky
Mountains. J. Climate, 24, 1666–1687.
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2.1.3 Wildfire Risks and Impacts
Climate change models also predict increased wildfire frequency and duration, as well as longer wildfire
seasons.13 Wildfire risk has a tendency to follow drought conditions. All of the City’s watersheds
(Sourdough, Hyalite and Lyman) are forested and therefore susceptible to wildfire, which would likely
reduce the amount and quality of water available from the municipal watersheds for an extended period
of time. Regionally, wildfire has already been occurring with more frequency. A warming climate leads to
increased rates of evapotranspiration resulting in drier forests in the late summer and fall months. Figure
2-7 depicts increased risks of very large wildfires in the contiguous United States.14
Figure 2- 1: Relative Increased Risk of Very Large Wildfires in Contiguous United States
Wildfires negatively impact water sources by increasing ash and sediment mobilization, thus reducing
water quality as a result of ash and sediment-laden reservoirs and streams. A fire in the Hyalite watershed
could result in substantial increases in sediment deposition reducing the capacity of Hyalite Reservoir.
Water utilities impacted by wildfire have reported that intense rains subsequent to a wildfire event caused
massive sediment accumulations that damaged infrastructure and resulted in power outages, long-term
reduction in source water quality, short-term contamination of drinking water sources, loss of source
13 https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts/forests.html; An, H., Gan, J., & Cho, S. J. (2015). Assessing
climate change impacts on wildfire risk in the United States. Forests, 6(9), 3197-3211.
14 Barbero, R.; Abatzoglou, J.T.; Larkin, N.K.; Kolden, C.A.; Stocks, B. (2015). Climate change presents increased
potential for very large fires in the contiguous United States. International Journal of Wildland Fire.
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water, and water demand in excess of water production.15 Due to the fact that Bozeman Creek and Hyalite
Creek watersheds are at risk of high severity fire, Bozeman Water’s new water treatment plant was
specifically designed to function even with some sediment loading from a wildfire event. However, it is
not equipped to handle the aftermath of large and prolonged fires. As a result, fuel reduction measures
in these source watersheds are necessary to reduce wildfire impact severity.16
2.1.4 Population Growth
A rapidly growing population (3% to 6% growth rate in recent years) increases vulnerability to drought.
The City of Bozeman’s Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) determined that without substantial
conservation Bozeman will likely experience a water supply and demand gap within the next 30 years.17
Figure 2-8 shows the population growth of Bozeman from 1950 to 2015. Rapid population growth in an
area without a large, stable raw water source (large river, groundwater aquifer, or very large raw water
reservoir) increases vulnerability to drought, unless new sources are developed to accommodate growth.
Figure 2- 2: City of Bozeman Population Growth from 1950 to 2015
2.1.5 Increased Summer Water Usage
Water usage significantly increases during the months of June, July, and August as a result of outdoor
watering. The peak summer demands for lawn watering are nearly 240% of the average winter demand.
During drought, lawns become drier, prompting homeowners to irrigate more, rather than less. This
practice will need to be carefully managed if drought conditions require.
Figure 2-9 shows the summer and winter per capita demands from 2006 – 2015. The summer demands
are approximately two and a half times the winter demand. If the data represented in Figure 2-9 are
evaluated further, a correlation between monthly demand and evapotranspiration becomes very
15 Sham, C.H., Tuccillo, M.E., and Rooke, J. (2013). Effects of Wildfire on Drinking Water Utilities and Best Practices
for Wildfire Risk Reduction and Mitigation. Water Research Foundation, Web Report #4482.
16 City of Bozeman Source Water Protection Plan, Western Groundwater Services, Bozeman, 2004; USFS, Bozeman
Municipal Watershed Risk Assessment. Bozeman, MT, 2003.
17 City of Bozeman Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP), Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services,
2013.
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Population
Year
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apparent. Residents who irrigate their lawn use more water during dry years. This practice will be reduced
or curtailed as a component of drought response set forth in this Plan.
Figure 2- 3: City of Bozeman Total Monthly Water Usage (2006-2015)
2.1.6 Requirements of Neighboring Water Users
Bozeman’s vulnerability to drought is further subject to the water needs of neighboring communities and
user groups. Agricultural interests, adjacent cities, towns and residential communities, and recreational
and environmental interests have rightful claims to water supplies in the Gallatin Valley and are
significantly impacted during drought.
Additional complications arise when drought is incorporated into the legal framework allocating water in
Montana. This structure is based on the doctrine of prior appropriation in which the date the water is
appropriated and placed to beneficial use determines the priority of the water right. The oldest or most
senior dates of appropriation are administered first. As a result, during times of shortage, priority
determines who is entitled to divert water. As increasing demands are placed on the finite amount of
water available, the risks for conflicts between water users increase. An effective Drought Management
Plan can reduce the likelihood for such conflicts.
2.2 Drought Monitoring
A Drought Management Plan must include a means of monitoring current drought conditions and applying
the conditions to the development of an overall drought stage framework. The primary goal of drought
monitoring is to recognize a drought in its early stages and accurately assess its severity over time so that
appropriate responses are successfully implemented.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Monthly Usage (MG)
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
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A transparent, quantifiable, and scientific basis for drought declaration is critical for timely decision-
making, effective communication with the Commission, and managing expectations of the public. Drought
monitoring allows for the use of local and national data in decision-making, implementation of
appropriate restrictions at the appropriate times, and allowances for different types of uses and the needs
of different water users.
For purposes of this Plan, a drought monitoring protocol was developed that incorporates data from local
and national indicators such as reservoir storage, area streamflow, snow pack, precipitation, temperature,
evaporation, soil moisture and weather forecasts. Bozeman Water will monitor these data with a
customized monitoring tool based on the drought monitoring protocol comprising local and national
indicators described in this Section. Select outputs from the drought monitoring tool are set forth in
Appendix B. Calibration of Bozeman Water’s drought monitoring tool insures the accuracy and reliability
of the data generated by the drought monitoring tool. A snapshot of the calibration of the tool is provided
in Appendix C.
2.2.1 Local Indicators
Droughts are highly variable, complex, and specific to a region’s local climatic conditions. While multiple
local indicators will be monitored, due to the fact that 80% to 85% of Bozeman’s water supply is surface
water, monitoring will primarily rely on levels in Hyalite Reservoir, area streamflow and snow water
equivalents.
2.2.1.1 Reservoir Storage
Because most of the water supply during drought comes from storage reservoirs, reservoir contents are
an accurate indicator of a drought’s impact on supplies. Reservoir contents are the bottom line result of
the factors affecting supply, including weather, snowpack, soil moisture, runoff, water rights, collection
system limitations and water use.
Although Bozeman Water currently has limited storage capacity, seasonal water elevation in Hyalite
Reservoir, and the corresponding volume in storage, is an immediate and direct assessment of the area’s
water supply status. Reservoir levels are regularly monitored by the Department of Natural Resources and
Conservation (DNRC), and the data are easily accessible. The volume of water in Hyalite Reservoir alone
is not indicative of what is available to Bozeman Water at any given time, but due to the City’s reliance on
Hyalite Reservoir as a source of water, the reservoir level serves as a key general indicator of drought
conditions in a given year. As a result, Hyalite Reservoir volume is given a relatively significant weighting
factor in Bozeman Water’s drought monitoring protocol.
The historical storage volume in Hyalite Reservoir is shown in Figure 2-10 and cycles through the year,
typically reaching maximum volume in late May or June. The reservoir is drawn down to its winter pool
level in mid to late fall. In order to accurately assess a drought condition at any given time, the storage
volume in Hyalite Reservoir must be normalized to the time of year. This is accomplished using a
cumulative frequency analysis method referred to as “frequency of exceedance,” or the amount of time
expressed as a percentage that the reservoir has historically held more water on the same date as the
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current measurement. This is the method that will be used to see how likely low reservoir levels will be
in the future based on how often low reservoir levels occurred in the past. More specifically, an
exceedance value of 90% for Hyalite storage volume indicates that 90% of historical storage volumes on
that same date have been greater than the current measurement and the current measurement has
been exceeded by 10% of the historical data.
Aggregate reservoir contents in Hyalite usually peak in June following spring snowmelt. Since the dam was
raised in 1991-92, this metric was divided into pre- and post-1992 periods to reflect the increased storage
subsequent to the dam raise.
Figure 2- 4: Hyalite/Middle Creek Reservoir Historic Minimum and Maximum Storage Volumes
2.2.1.2 Area Streamflow
Bozeman is located near multiple streams and creeks including Lyman Creek, Sourdough Creek, Hyalite
Creek, the East Gallatin River and Gallatin River, situated at the headwaters of the Gallatin River
Watershed and the Missouri River Basin as shown in Figure 2-11. These streams are also indicators of
local drought conditions. However, due to the lack of data on key streams, overall streamflow is not
weighted as heavily as reservoir storage data in Bozeman Water’s drought monitoring protocol. As the
period of record increases, these parameters will be incorporated into the Plan.
More specifically, Sourdough (Bozeman) Creek flow would likely offer the most direct assessment of the
status of water availability for the City. Unfortunately, streamflow on Sourdough has not historically been
monitored. A new gage has been installed on Sourdough, but without a robust historical record, it is not
possible to evaluate and compare current water status accurately with historical flows. As future data is
collected, the information will become increasingly valuable.
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The same is true of the East Gallatin River, which drains the portion of the Gallatin watershed that includes
Lyman Creek. Due to the historical data limitations, the Gallatin River streamflow monitored at a USGS
gaging station at Logan will be used as it offers a robust historical data set which provides valuable
information on drought conditions throughout the entire watershed and is well suited to long-term
drought monitoring. However, the usefulness of the Logan gage data is somewhat minimized as Bozeman
Water’s source watersheds comprise only approximately one quarter of the total Gallatin watershed flows
that are measured at the Logan gage.
Figure 2- 5: Gallatin River Watershed
Hyalite Creek itself is also a water source for the City. Flow in the creek is monitored at a USGS gaging
station with a reliable historical data set downstream of the dam. For this reason, Hyalite Creek flow is
included in the monitoring plan. However, due to its sensitivity to dam releases, it will be given
significantly less weight than the Gallatin River gage.
2.2.1.3 Snow Water Equivalents (SNOTEL)
The City’s water supply is directly influenced by snowpack; therefore, the inclusion of snowpack data is
also critical to include in the drought monitoring protocol. Snow-water equivalence (SWE) provides the
most accurate indication of water availability in snowpack. A map showing the general locations of the
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SNOTEL sites is provided in Figure 2-12. One SNOTEL site in the Bridger Range and one site from the
Hyalite Range were selected for inclusion in the monitoring protocol.
Figure 2- 6: Location of Bozeman Area SNOTELs
Snow Water Equivalent from the Sacajawea SNOTEL shows a very strong correlation with flows from
Lyman Spring and as a result is included in the monitoring protocol.18
Snow Water Equivalent data in the Hyalite watershed will be monitored using the Shower Falls SNOTEL
site, as this SNOTEL lies above the Hyalite Reservoir and is more indicative of the water that will contribute
18 SNOTEL site correlation data 2009-2015 on file with City of Bozeman (2016).
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to reservoir storage. The data from the Lick Creek SNOTEL site was not considered as high in value since
it is located downstream of Hyalite Reservoir.
2.2.1.4 Groundwater
The central Gallatin Valley is underlain by a shallow, unconfined aquifer composed of alluvial and colluvial
material. Groundwater levels in this aquifer generally range from 20 to 50 feet below the ground surface.
It is the source of water for the majority of groundwater users in the Bozeman area. Although in some
locations there are intermittent clay lenses or layers of other small-grained (fine) sediments that might
alter the movement and yield of water, many of these Quaternary sediments are excellent at storing and
transmitting water because of the coarseness of the material. Recharge to shallow aquifers in these
sediments comes from precipitation, infiltration from irrigation and irrigation canals and ditches, and
runoff (surface and subsurface) from snowmelt in the adjacent mountains.19 Therefore, fluctuations in
groundwater provide useful information as to the overall status of water in the area.
The monitoring protocol incorporates depth to groundwater from a groundwater well located within City
limits. The location of the groundwater well is shown in Figure 2-13. This well possesses the most
advantageous combination of location and period of record (1992 – current) in relation to other area
groundwater wells. It is 160 feet deep, and depth to groundwater historically fluctuates between 22 and
26 feet.20
Figure 2- 7: Location of Selected Groundwater Monitoring Well
19 Gallatin State of the Waters Report, 2015. Gallatin Local Water Quality District.
20 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Groundwater Information Center.
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2.2.1.5 Recommended Future Local Indicators
Due to the limited number of local indicators for monitoring purposes, valuable drought information
that is not currently available could be acquired from additional monitoring devices including stream
gages in Sourdough Creek and Lyman Spring and snow-water equivalence sites in the Sourdough Creek
Watershed. Table 2-1 summarizes recommended additional monitoring parameters that should be
considered.
Location / Source Monitoring Situation
Sourdough Watershed A SNOTEL site in the Sourdough Watershed
Real time stream gages at multiple locations
Lyman Spring Long-term automation and daily flow recording is
recommended. (SCADA)
SNOTEL in Lyman Canyon
Table 2- 1: Recommended Additional/Future Local Monitoring Locations
2.2.2 National Indicators
In addition to local indicators described above, various national drought indicators are being incorporated
into the monitoring protocol to more accurately gage drought conditions. Using multiple data sets
provides more versatility in determining drought conditions. The weakness of one indicator may be
compensated for by another.
2.2.2.1 Palmer Drought Severity Index
The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) is a meteorological drought index based on the water balance
equation including supply, demand, and loss. The PDSI is a good tool for monitoring long-term (several
months) drought conditions and is the most commonly used drought indicator in the U.S., including
government agencies administering drought relief programs.21 The PDSI rating system ranges between -
-4.0 and +4.0, with corresponding conditions shown in Table 2-2.
PDSI Value Severity/Moisture Condition
+4.0 and above Extreme Moist Spell
+3.0 to +3.99 Very Moist Spell
+2.0 to +2.99 Unusual Moist Spell
+1.0 to +1.99 Moist Spell
+0.5 to +0.99 Incipient Moist Spell
-0.49 to +0.49 Near Normal
-0.99 to -0.5 Incipient Drought
-1.99 to -1.0 Mild Drought
-2.99 to -2.0 Moderate Drought
-3.99 to -3.0 Severe Drought
-4.0 and below Extreme Drought
21 National Drought Mitigation Center. Comparison of Major Drought Indices.
http://drought.unl.edu/Planning/Monitoring/ComparisonofIndicesIntro/PDSI.aspx
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Table 2- 2: Drought Severity Based on PDSI
2.2.2.2 U.S. Drought Monitor
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a composite index based on measurements of hydrologic, climatic, and soil
conditions and accounts for the importance of snow in the hydrologic cycle of the Bozeman area via the
use of snow water content information, river basin precipitation levels, and the Surface Water Supply
Index (SWSI).22 A summary of the U.S. Drought Monitor and drought severity categories is included in
Table 2-3.
Category Description Possible Impacts
Palmer
Drought
Severity
Index
(PDSI)
CPC Soil
Moisture
Model
(Percentile)
USGS
Weekly
Streamflow
(Percentile)
Standardized
Precipitation
Index (SPI)
Objective
Drought
Indicator
Blends
(Percentile)
D0
Abnormally
Dry
Going into drought:
short-term dryness
slowing planting,
growth of crops or
pastures
Coming out of drought:
some lingering water
deficits
pastures or crops not
fully recovered
-1.0 to -
1.9
21 to 30 21 to 30 -0.5 to -0.7 21 to 30
D1
Moderate
Drought
Some damage to crops,
pastures
Streams, reservoirs, or
wells low, some water
shortages developing or
imminent
Voluntary water-use
restrictions requested
-2.0 to -
2.9
11 to 20 11 to 20 -0.8 to -1.2 11 to 20
24
Shortages of water in
reservoirs, streams, and
wells creating water
emergencies
Table 2- 3: Drought Severity Categories and Inputs for the U.S. Drought Monitor
2.2.2.3 Standard Precipitation Index
The Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) depicted in Table 2-4 is a probability based index that utilizes
historical rainfall data. For drought management purposes, the SPIs over longer averaging periods (6-
months or greater) are better indicators than the short-term SPIs.23
SPI Value Severity / Moisture Condition
+2.0 and above Exceptionally Moist
+1.6 to +1.99 Extremely Moist
+1.3 to +1.59 Very Moist
+0.80 to +1.29 Moderately Moist
+0.51 to +0.79 Abnormally Moist
-0.50 to +0.50 Near Normal
-0.79 to -0.51 Abnormally Dry
-1.29 to -0.80 Moderately Dry
-1.59 to -1.30 Severely Dry
-1.99 to -1.60 Extremely Dry
-2.00 and below Exceptionally Dry
Table 2- 4: Drought Severity based on SPI
2.3 Drought Monitoring and Response
Table 2-5 illustrates the relationship between the local and national drought severity monitoring
indicators and the corresponding drought response stage. The response stages in the table are illustrative
only as there are no hard-and-fast relationships between the indicators and the appropriate drought
response stage. This figure is a guideline, as the Commission will evaluate many factors when making its
drought response decisions.
Indicator
Weighting
Factor
Response Stages
Stage 1
Drought
Watch
Stage 2
Drought
Advisory
Stage 3
Drought
Warning
Stage 4
Drought
Emergency
23 Additional information about the Standard Precipitation Index is available at:
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/prelim/drought/spi.html. Last visited: November 1, 2016.
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Hyalite Reservoir Storage
Percent Exceedance
30% 70% 80% 90% 95%
Stream Flow Percent
Exceedance
20%
Hyalite Creek below the
Reservoir
20% 85% 90% 95% 98%
Gallatin River At Logan 80% 80% 85% 90% 95%
SNOTEL Snow-Water
Equivalence Percent
Exceedance
20%
Shower Falls SNOTEL 75% 75% 85% 90% 95%
Sacajawea SNOTEL 25% 75% 85% 90% 95%
South 3rd
Well (135720) Depth
to Groundwater (ft)
10% 25 25.5 26 26.5
Palmer Drought Severity
Index
10% -1 -2 -3 -4
Standardized Precipitation
Index
5%
6-Month 80% -0.5 -1.0 -1.5 -2
12-Month 20% -0.5 -1.0 -1.5 -2
US Drought Monitor 5% 1.5 2 3 4
Actual values subject to change based on drought conditions
Table 2- 5: Drought Monitoring in Relation to Response Stages
2.4 Uncertainty Associated with Forecasts
Just like other weather phenomena, forecasting a drought and knowing with certainty if one exists can be
difficult. When a dry year occurs, for example, it is unknown whether it is the first year of a three-, five-
or 10-year drought, or if it is merely a dry year somewhere in a series of average-to-wet years. Even though
droughts cannot always be predicted, Bozeman Water will continue to advise customers of the latest
water supply information so they can consider it in their own planning.
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3 DROUGHT RESPONSE ACTIONS
As reservoir levels, stream flows and snowpack decrease, efforts to add water supplies and reduce
water use increase. The City of Bozeman’s response actions consists of two components – the indicators
that help the Commission decide an appropriate drought response described above, and the
corresponding actions recommended for that response. This Plan delineates four stages of drought
severity. Each stage is based on local and national indicators described in Section 2 above.
For each stage, progressively more stringent responses are recommended. Some drought response
measures, particularly those designated for mild episodes of drought, require minimal customer effort.
However, as drought intensifies, measures can become mandatory, are associated with increasing costs
and are sometimes intrusive.
In short, the recommended responses are as follows:
Stage 1 ─ Drought Watch asks for increased communication on dry conditions;
Stage 2 – Drought Advisory implements mandatory watering restrictions;
Stage 3 – Drought Warning prohibits lawn watering; and
Stage 4 – Drought Emergency rations water supplies for essential uses.
To activate the response component of this Plan, the Commission declares a drought stage and adopts
an effective date for imposing applicable restrictions. Because Stage 2, Stage 3 and Stage 4 droughts
involve mandatory restrictions and are currently authorized by the Bozeman Municipal Code (BMC),
described further in Section 5 below, they will become enforceable pursuant to the Bozeman Municipal
Code. Restrictions applied during stages as declared by the Commission are provided below.
At the onset of drought, an interdivisional team comprising City staff from the Drought Management
Team will initiate drought monitoring procedures in order to advise the Director of Public Works. This
team will monitor drought conditions and evaluate the effectiveness of the drought response.
Recommendations for adjusting the response will be submitted to the Commission. Because every
drought is different, the Commission will refine drought response actions based on actual conditions.
3.1 Increasing Water Supply
In addition to managing water use during a drought, Bozeman Water will try to increase its supplies by
gaining access to other temporary water sources.24 Each supply alternative presents unique
intergovernmental, legal and technical issues, and each will depend on the current conditions.25
24 Detailed information about current and future plans to increase water supplies is set forth in the Integrated
Water Resources Plan available at:
https://www.bozeman.net/Smarty/media/PublicWorks/Water%20Conservation/pdf/IWRP-Bozeman.pdf, last
visited: November 18, 2016; See also, https://www.bozeman.net/Departments/Public-Works/Water-
Conservation/Home, last visited: November 18, 2016.
25 Id.
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3.2 Reducing Water Use
Bozeman Water’s primary response to drought is to reduce water uses by customers so that existing
supplies will be available for the most essential uses for the duration of the drought. A variety of actions,
rather than one single approach, is generally more effective at creating an overall atmosphere that
promotes water use reductions.
The actions discussed in the sections that follow are based on the drought severity indicators identified
in Section 2 and include monitoring and evaluation, restrictions, water use education and enforcement,
and drought rates. Generally speaking, restricting the number of days and times allowed for watering
landscapes or providing a maximum water allowance, can be effective methods for reducing water use.
Other methods, such as drought rates and public information efforts, complement those watering
restrictions. Other restrictions may not substantially reduce water use but may eliminate discretionary
uses of water or heighten public awareness of drought severity.
3.3 Monitoring and Evaluation
When drought conditions emerge, Bozeman Water will intensify monitoring and evaluation activities. The
monitoring and evaluation program will track information such as snowpack, soil moisture, streamflow,
precipitation, water rights, reservoir levels and weather forecasts as described in Section 2. In addition,
water usage and its corresponding revenue will be compared to normal use and weather-adjusted
expected use. The water reduction goals are based upon what is needed in order to preserve economic
vitality of the community while preserving public health and safety. If water reduction goals are not being
met, the Commission may increase public outreach and/or the level of drought response.
Bozeman Water’s customized drought monitoring tool described in Section 2 will facilitate data-driven
decision-making by the Commission.
The four stages of drought outlined in this Section will be utilized for the purposes of assessing,
communicating, and responding to drought conditions. The drought stages will increase with worsening
drought conditions and reduce progressively as conditions improve and the drought protocol criteria for
the level are no longer met.
The procedures for utilization of the drought stage model to manage drought are as follows:
1. The drought monitoring tool will be updated monthly by Bozeman Water during non-drought or
Drought Watch stages, and bi-weekly during Drought Advisory, Warning, and Emergency stages.
The tool will provide information on recent trends during a drought and staff will update the
Director of Public Works as to drought conditions.
2. The Director of Public Works will provide recommendations for drought stage declarations and
response actions to the City Commission.
3. The Commission will be provided an opportunity to ask questions and make comments on the
recommendations at a regularly scheduled public City Commission Meeting or other public
emergency meeting to discuss drought conditions.
4. The Commission decides whether to declare drought and at what drought stage based on the
Director of Public Works recommendations to the Commission. This decision should be made
within twenty-four (24) hours of the City Commission Meeting.
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5. If the Commission elects to declare drought, direction is given to the Director of Public Works to
convey the drought declaration to City and County Emergency Management, the Montana
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the public and response measures will
be implemented.
6. If the data indicate that a Drought Watch condition is warranted, or that an already-declared
drought stage needs to be modified, Bozeman Water will review the results generated by the tool
and the status of local parameters to ensure that the stage declaration or change is warranted.
7. The same procedure will be followed for any changes to the drought stage and to call an end to
the drought.
3.4 Restrictions
Once the Commission has declared a drought, Bozeman Water will activate the corresponding set of
recommended response measures. Bozeman Water’s goal for drought response is to maintain the
health, safety and economic vitality of the community to the greatest extent possible in the face of
water shortage.
Bozeman Water follows the principles below as much as possible when restricting water use during
a drought.
Implement extensive public information and media relations programs.
Inform customers about conditions and actions they can take to reduce water use.
Have open, clear and consistent messaging and communication.
Maintain the trust of customers and stakeholders.
Minimize adverse financial effects.
Be respectful of water-based businesses that will be financially affected by restrictions.
Engage in ongoing dialogue with the landscaping industry to obtain input and to allow these
businesses to plan for future months.
Avoid irretrievable loss of natural resources.
Allow for watering of trees if possible.
Avoid damaging perennial landscaping if possible.
Tailor watering restrictions to known landscape needs as much as possible.
Restrict less essential uses before essential uses.
Curtail outdoor water use (except for trees and shrubs and potentially urban gardens) before
restricting domestic indoor use.
Eliminate water waste.
Affect individuals or small groups before affecting large groups or the community as a whole,
allowing as much public activity as possible to be unaffected.
Have a maximum allowable water allowance program for public spaces to allow those
customers to prioritize water use for heavily-used landscapes.
Preserve community pools before residential pools.
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3.5 Water Use Education
Bozeman Water will develop a water use education and enforcement program based on the elements of
the Plan set forth herein to educate customers about efficient water use, to enforce water waste rules
and drought restrictions, and to save water. During a drought, the Bozeman Water Conservation
Division will coordinate with the Water and Sewer Operations Division and the Bozeman Police
Department to monitor Bozeman’s water service area for customers who are not complying with
drought response measures.
The goal of the program is to educate and inform customers, not to merely penalize violators. Bozeman
staff will distribute educational materials, help customers reduce their water use and answer questions
about the drought. Customers will also be able to report water waste through the Water Conservation
Division’s phone number and website.
3.5.1 Communications Campaign
An on-going communications campaign will be a significant component of the City of Bozeman’s Drought
Management Plan and closely coordinated with the Water Conservation Division’s education and
outreach initiatives. When appropriate, these programs may be integrated into a single program by the
Water Conservation Division. These initiatives promote the value of water, the need to conserve and ways
in which to achieve water savings under normal climatic conditions and during drought events.
During non-drought years, the communication campaign will provide general information on drought and
drought preparedness. During a drought event, the campaign will increase the scope and specificity of
messaging to the public and will include information pertaining to drought stages and associated
responses.
The objectives of the communication campaign are to:
Provide clear and consistent drought information to City of Bozeman water customers;
Adjust the scope and frequency of messaging in accordance with drought stage and restrictions;
and
Coordinate implementation of the campaign with Gallatin County, nearby municipalities and
other affected communities to provide consistent drought messaging.
The Water Conservation Division will be responsible for developing communications campaigns
identifying specific drought messaging delivered to targeted audiences before, during and after a
drought event. Specific communications plans will depend upon the current and forecasted water
supply and weather conditions present at the time. Outreach will primarily consist of website
communications, social networking, newspapers, bill inserts, and mailers. During a drought,
communications will be expanded to television, radio and social media, newspapers, emails, public
meetings, presentations at community events and school programs.
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3.6 Drought Management for Master Meter Customers
Bozeman Water’s master meter customers (e.g. MSU) are governed by Bozeman Water’s drought
management guidelines. Master meter customers can make and enforce their own plans as long as they
are consistent with Bozeman Water’s drought management guidelines set forth herein. Master meter
customers should also assist Bozeman Water in enforcing the Drought Management Plan.
As a result, it is recommended that master meter customers have a water use education and enforcement
program during drought response to ensure customers comply with operating rules. Master meter
customers can choose to opt in to Bozeman Water’s water use education and enforcement program or
create their own program. If opting in to Bozeman Water’s program, Bozeman Water will work closely
with the customer to facilitate proper communication with customers.
If a master meter customer chooses to create its own water use education and enforcement program, the
following program elements are recommended to be considered for inclusion:
Creating a mechanism to educate customers about drought restrictions, such as online or printed
materials and personal customer interaction.
Creating a reporting tool, such as a phone number or email, that allows customers to report
violations of water waste rules.
Monitoring for violations of water waste rules.
Tracking customer violations.
3.7 Drought Rates
Drought rates may be implemented as a drought response action or declaration by the Commission.
Drought rates are designed to increase awareness of the drought’s severity, assist in meeting water use
reduction targets through pricing signals and/or maintain the financial health of the utility. Drought
rates are not currently a component of Bozeman Water’s rate structure. Adoption of drought rates is
subject to Commission approval as part of a cost of service and rate study that is not currently
contemplated as part of this Plan.
Drought rates are different from the regular rate structures for water service in that they are temporary
in nature. The drought declaration defines the criteria for implementing and removing drought rates.
If Bozeman Water receives Commission approval to proceed with the development of drought rates,
several guiding principles should be considered:
There is a relationship between price and demand.
Drought rates should not be used alone, but should be incorporated into an overall program to
increase customer awareness of the drought’s severity and importance of saving water.
Drought rate pricing signals should be developed in a manner that carefully considers the cost of
water for essential uses.
Drought rates may apply to current water demands, new service connections or other demands
on the water supply.
Drought rates should match the severity of the drought and drought response measures.
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Drought rates must be feasible for the City of Bozeman computer systems and Master Meter
customers to handle.
Public information is important in helping customers understand drought rates.
3.8 Drought Stages
Drought stages are determined by the outputs from the drought monitoring tool. The most important
indicator will be storage levels in Hyalite Reservoir and is determined using the exceedance method. The
exceedance value corresponds to the amount of time (expressed as a percentage) that the reservoir held
more water on the same date as the current measurement.
If the reduction targets for each stage are met, drought declarations of increasing severity may be delayed
or avoided.
The water reduction targets model industry best practices and reflect reductions achieved in similarly
situated municipalities during drought events. If water-reduction goals are not being met, the Commission
may increase public outreach and/or the level of drought response.
Drought Stage
Stage 1:
Drought
Watch
Stage 2:
Drought
Advisory
Stage 3:
Drought
Warning
Stage 4:
Drought
Emergency
System-wide
Water
Reduction
Targets
10% 20% 30% 40%
3.8.1 Stage 1 - Drought Watch (Abnormally Dry): Customer Outreach
Description:
A Drought Watch declaration will increase communication to customers to alert them that water supplies
are below average, conditions are dry and continued dry weather could lead to mandatory watering
restrictions. A Drought Watch will require a formal declaration from the Commission. The exceedance
method looks at the amount of time (expressed as a percentage) that the identified source held more
water, had higher flows or snow water equivalent on the same date as the current measurement.
Indicators:
1. Projected percent exceedance of Hyalite Reservoir levels on that date are at or around 70%
exceedance but less than 80% exceedance. See Table 2-5 above.
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2. Watershed characteristics such as precipitation, snowpack, streamflow, wind and soil moisture
indicate abnormal and prolonged dryness.
a. Streamflow is at or around 80% exceedance.
b. SNOTEL sites are at or around 75 % exceedance.
3. Service-area precipitation indicates abnormal and prolonged dryness.
a. Standard Precipitation Index is - 0.5 See Table 2-4 above.
Use Reduction Target: 10 % reduction of current use. This is a system-wide target, and individual or
customer group-specific response measures should be implemented.
Response Measures:
Increase communication and outreach to customers and stakeholders to explain we are beginning to see
indicators of drought.
Encourage customers to continue to use water efficiently and provide suggestions for reducing
water use in order to reduce the risk of progression to mandatory restrictions.
Notify customers and prepare for the possibility of mandatory watering restrictions.
Enhance the water use education and enforcement program.
3.8.2 Stage 2 - Drought Advisory (Severely Dry): Mandatory Watering Restrictions
Description:
A Stage 2 drought declaration imposes mandatory watering restrictions and requires effort on the part of
customers. Circumstances warrant possible adverse impacts on water-dependent businesses involved in
outdoor water use. The exceedance method looks at the amount of time (expressed as a percentage) that
the identified source held more water, had higher flows or snow water equivalent on the same date as
the current measurement.
Indicators:
1. Projected percent exceedance of Hyalite Reservoir levels on that date are at or around 80%
exceedance but less than 90% exceedance.
2. Watershed characteristics such as precipitation, snowpack, streamflow, wind and soil moisture
indicate severe and prolonged dryness.
a. Streamflow is at or around 90% exceedance.
b. SNOTEL sites are at or around 85 % exceedance.
3. Service-area precipitation indicates moderate and prolonged dryness.
a. Standard Precipitation is - 1.0 See Table 2-4 above.
4. State water officials are engaged in drought response activities.
Use Reduction Target:20% reduction of current use. This is a system-wide target, and individual or
customer group-specific response measures should be implemented.
Spray Irrigation Watering Restrictions: Below is a recommended watering schedule for a Stage 2 drought
response for watering restrictions from April 1 to October 1 unless exempted by special permission.
A. Watering shall be limited to two days per week in accordance with the following schedule:
Single residential properties with odd-numbered addresses: Saturday, Wednesday
Single residential properties with even-numbered addresses: Sunday, Thursday
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All others (multi-unit, HOAs, commercial, industrial, government): Tuesday, Friday.
B. The Commission may by formal action establish a limit on the number of minutes of irrigation that
each area of turf may receive or a maximum total amount of time during which irrigation at a
premises may occur.
C. This subsection will not apply to athletic or playing fields, and tees and greens at golf courses,
heavily used by the community so long as irrigation of such landscapes is accomplished without
waste of water.
D. Watering is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except when limited
watering is essential to preserve turf subject to heavy public use.
E. Watering is prohibited on Mondays, except for irrigators operating under special exemptions as
approved by the Director of Public Works.
F. Permissible watering shall be conducted without any water waste, pursuant to B.M.C. Section
40.02.1320.
Strategic Water Reserve:
Pursuant to the future adoption of a strategic water reserve by the Commission, the Commission may
make water from the strategic water reserve available for use during a Stage 2 drought. Such action could
reduce the severity of Stage 2 restrictions, or it could be used to delay or eliminate a Stage 3 drought
response.
3.8.3 Stage 3 - Drought Warning (Extremely Dry): Ban on Targeted Water Uses
Description:
A Stage 3 drought imposes mandatory watering restrictions on Bozeman Water’s customers. Stage 3
drought restrictions are severe and will likely result in damage to or loss of landscapes. The exceedance
method looks at the amount of time (expressed as a percentage) that the identified source held more
water, had higher flows or snow water equivalent on the same date as the current measurement.
Indicators:
1. Projected percent exceedance of Hyalite Reservoir levels on that date are at or around 90%
exceedance. See Table 2-5 above.
2. Watershed characteristics such as precipitation, snowpack, streamflow, wind and soil moisture
indicate extreme dryness.
a. Streamflow is at or around 95% exceedance.
b. SNOTEL sites are at or around 90 % exceedance.
3. Service-area precipitation indicates severe and prolonged dryness.
a. Standard Precipitation Index is - 1.5. See Table 2-4.
4. State water officials have declared drought conditions in the service area.
Use Reduction Target:
30% reduction of current use. This is a system-wide target, and individual or customer group-specific
response measures should be implemented.
A. Spray Irrigation Watering Restrictions: Below are recommended measures for a Stage 3 drought
response.
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Ban on watering of City landscaping and most parks.
Ban on water fountains and filling private swimming pools.
Watering shall be limited to one day per week outside the hours of 10 am and 6 pm.
o Addresses ending with zero or one are permitted to irrigate with sprinklers on Tuesday.
o Addresses ending with two or three are permitted to irrigate with sprinklers on
Wednesday.
o Addresses ending with four or five are permitted to irrigate with sprinklers on Thursday.
o Addresses ending with six or seven are permitted to irrigate with sprinklers on Friday.
o Addresses ending with eight or nine are permitted to irrigate with sprinklers on
Saturday.
B. The Commission may by formal action establish a limit on the number of minutes of irrigation that
each area of turf may receive or a maximum total amount of time during which irrigation at a
premises may occur.
C. This subsection will not apply to athletic or playing fields, and tees and greens at golf courses,
heavily used by the community, however these landscapes will be subject to a mandatory
schedule or water budget to be developed in coordination with the Water Conservation Division
and based on current conditions at the time of the declaration.
D. Watering is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except when limited
watering is essential to preserve turf subject to heavy public use.
E. Watering is prohibited on Mondays, except for irrigators operating under special exemptions as
approved by the Director of Public Works.
F. Permissible watering shall be conducted without any water waste, pursuant to B.M.C. Section
40.02.1320.
Drought Rates:
Should the Commission adopt a water rate structure that incorporates the use of drought rates, a
drought rate program may be used to increase awareness of the drought’s severity, assist in meeting
water-use reduction targets through pricing signals and/or maintain the financial health of the utility.
Strategic Water Reserve:
Pursuant to the future adoption of a strategic water reserve by the Commission, the Commission may
make water from the strategic water reserve available for use during a Stage 3 drought. Such action
could reduce the severity of Stage 3 restrictions, or it could be used to delay or eliminate a Stage 4
drought response.
3.8.4 Stage 4 - Drought Emergency (Exceptionally Dry): Rationing
Description:
A Stage 4 drought activates a rationing program for Bozeman’s Water’s customers. Conditions that would
lead to a Stage 4 drought are highly unlikely. However, if conditions warrant, Bozeman Water may
implement a rationing program for an indefinite period of time to ensure, to the extent possible, that
there is adequate water for essential uses. No outdoor watering will be allowed. Stage 4 drought
restrictions will damage the quality of life in Bozeman Water’s service area, including the long-term loss
of landscapes. The exceedance method looks at the amount of time (expressed as a percentage) that the
identified source held more water, had higher flows or snow water equivalent on the same date as the
current measurement.
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Indicators:
1. Projected percent exceedance of Hyalite Reservoir levels on that date are at or around 95%
exceedance. See Table 2-5.
2. Watershed characteristics such as precipitation, snowpack, streamflow, wind and soil moisture
indicate exceptional and prolonged dryness.
a. Streamflow is at or around 98% exceedance.
b. SNOTEL sites are at or around 95 % exceedance.
c. Service-area precipitation indicates severe and prolonged dryness.
i. Standard Precipitation Index is – 1.75. Table 2-4.
3. State water officials have declared drought conditions in the service area.
Use Reduction Target: 40% reduction of current use. This is a system-wide target, and individual or
customer group-specific response measures should be implemented.
Drought Rates:
Should the Commission adopt a water rate structure that incorporates the use of drought rates a drought
rate program is likely to be used to increase awareness of the drought’s severity, assist in meeting water-
use reduction targets through pricing signals and/or maintain the financial health of the utility.
Strategic Water Reserve:
Pursuant to the future adoption of a strategic water reserve by the Commission, due to the severity of the
situation, the Commission will likely make any water remaining in the strategic water reserve available for
essential uses during a Stage 4 drought.
4 DROUGHT RESPONSE PROGRAM MEASURES
The program measures table below is meant to be a guide to water uses under various levels of drought
restrictions. Bozeman Water reserves the right to modify these program measures as needed to meet
changing water supply conditions. Any modifications made will be presented to the City Commission as
part of its drought declaration and response recommendations.
Element Stage 1
Drought Watch
Customer
Outreach
Stage 2
Drought Advisory
Mandatory
Restrictions
Stage 3
Drought Warning
Ban on Lawn
Watering
Stage 4
Drought
Emergency
Rationing
Outdoor watering
Turf grass No restrictions. Two days/week
per mandatory
schedule based on
customer class
and address.
No watering
permitted.
No watering
permitted.
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New seed and
sod
Permitted with
exemption
signage for
establishment.
Permitted with
exemption
signage for
establishment.
No watering
permitted.
No watering
permitted.
New plantings Permitted. No installations
from June-August.
Not permitted. Not permitted.
Trees, shrubs,
perennials
Water
efficiently.
May be watered
by hand-held hose
or low-volume
non-spray
irrigation on any
day, not between
10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Existing trees and
shrubs may be
watered by
means of a hand-
held hose or low-
volume non-
spray irrigation
no more than
once per week on
scheduled day.
Not permitted, or
use of hand-held
hose or low-
volume spray
may be limited to
no more than
one assigned day
per month.
Flowers,
vegetables,
and
community
gardens
No restrictions. May be watered
by means of a
hand-held hose or
low-volume non-
spray irrigation on
assigned watering
days, not between
10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
37
water budget
restrictions.
Water Features
Swimming
pools
No restrictions. No restrictions. Single-family
residential pools
shall not be filled
or refilled.
Operation of
other pools will
be permitted.
No filling of
pools.
Other water
features
(fountains,
splash pads,
ponds and
waterfalls)
No restrictions. All ornamental
fountains on City-
owned property
and in City owned
buildings and
splash parks are
turned off.
All ornamental
and splash parks
are turned off.
All ornamental
fountains and
outdoor drinking
fountains and
splash parks are
to be turned off.
Washing/Events
Cars-washing
at home
With bucket or
handheld hose
with shutoff
nozzle.
With bucket or
handheld hose
with shutoff
nozzle.
Not permitted.
Must use
commercial car
wash.
Not permitted.
Must use a
commercial car
wash.
Cars-
commercial
car washes
No restrictions. No restrictions. No restrictions. No restrictions.
38
Driveway and
Sidewalk
Washing
Use dry clean-
up methods
prior to
washing.
Use dry clean-up
methods prior to
washing. High
efficiency
equipment
required.
Washing and
spraying on
impervious
surfaces
(driveways and
sidewalks) is
prohibited.
Washing and
spraying on
impervious
surfaces
(driveways and
sidewalks) is
prohibited.
Commercial-Institutional Processes
Restaurants No restrictions. Restaurants
encouraged to
install high
efficiency spay
nozzles.
Water served
only on request.
Water served
only on request.
Lodging No restrictions. No restrictions. Laundry
restrictions. Must
comply with
Bozeman Water’s
signage program.
Laundry
restrictions. Must
comply with
Bozeman Water’s
signage program.
Construction
Water
No restrictions. Conserve and
prevent wasting
of construction
water.
Conserve and
prevent wasting
of construction
water.
Use of all
construction
39
Hydrants
No restrictions. Hydrant flushing is
prohibited unless
necessary for
public safety
reasons.
Hydrant flushing
is prohibited
unless necessary
for public safety
reasons. Use of
all water for fire
training and use
of water from
hydrants is not
permitted unless
necessary for
public safety.
Hydrant flushing
is prohibited
unless necessary
for public safety
reasons. Use of
all water for fire
training and use
of water from
hydrants is not
permitted unless
necessary for
public safety.
Table 4- 1: Drought Response Program Measures
5 DROUGHT RESPONSE PROGRAM ENFORCEMENT
The authority to enforce the water reduction targets provided in the Plan and Bozeman Water customers’
violations of the response measures is provided for in the Bozeman Municipal Code. Specifically, BMC
Section 40.02.1270 establishes that the Director of Public Works, in concurrence with the City Manager,
is authorized to restrict or wholly prohibit the outdoor use of the water supply. Bozeman Municipal Code
Section 40.02.1330 further allows the Director of Public Works to take steps necessary to maintain
adequate health and sanitation standards.
The Bozeman Municipal Code prohibits the waste of water whenever outdoor water use restrictions are
in effect with penalties that include fines and discontinuation of water service in the event of a violation.
The relevant code provisions are set forth in their entirety in Appendix D. Bozeman Municipal Code
Section 40.02.1260 states that all provisions addressing outdoor water use restrictions are applicable to
all persons both in and out of the city and regardless of whether any person using water has a contract
for water service with the city. Bozeman Municipal Code Section 40.02.1280 states that whenever
outdoor watering restrictions are in effect, certain indoor uses are also not permitted. Additional
provisions pertaining to the timing of outdoor watering, installation of new landscape, seeding, sodding
or planting are set forth in BMC Sections 40.02.1290-1300.
Enforcement provisions for violations of drought response measures are set forth in BMC Sections
40.02.1340 – 40.02.1350. Violation of the watering restrictions and mandatory drought response
measures constitutes a misdemeanor pursuant to BMC Section 40.02.1350. Upon conviction thereof, the
violator shall be fined an amount not less than $100 and not more than $500.
Violators will be located based on citizen complaints received at 406.582.2280 from 8am to 5pm or via
the Bozeman Water Conservation Division Website (www.bozemanwater.com) Drought Response Page.
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Bozeman Water will issue a warning letter to the customer notifying the water user that there has been
a complaint. Individuals with numerous complaints will receive special attention by Bozeman Water’s
enforcement team.
5.1 Drought Management Plan Updates
The Drought Management Plan should be updated regularly for the following reasons:
1. This is the first Drought Management Plan for the City, and it is based on a drought monitoring
protocol that relies heavily on local drought monitoring parameters. The local drought monitoring
parameters should be refined over time.
2. The City has recently added monitoring on Sourdough Creek and the East Gallatin River. As these
data sources become more robust, they can be utilized by the City for drought monitoring
purposes.
3. Demand volumes and patterns will likely change over time.
4. The City’s infrastructure, specifically its raw water supply portfolio and distribution system, will
grow and change over time.
5. Response actions identified herein may be improved upon, or new response actions may be
identified.
It is recommended that the City update the Drought Management Plan at a minimum of every 5 years.
However, if a moderate to severe drought is encountered, and in the process of monitoring and
responding to that drought the City encounters weaknesses or gaps in the Drought Management Plan,
then the Plan should be updated at that time.
Updates to the Plan will necessitate the re-establishment of the Drought Management Team and other
vested stakeholders to provide subject matter expertise.
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APPENDIX A – Drought Management Team
Member
Name
Organization Title
Drought Team
Function
Responsibilities
Phone
Number
Email Address
Lain
Leoniak
City of
Bozeman
Water
Resources
Manager
Drought Plan
Coordinator
Manage the
Drought Team and
the Drought Plan.
406-582-
2280
lleoniak@bozeman.net
Craig
Woolard
City of
Bozeman
Public Works
Director
Public Works
Coordination
City Commission
Drought Plan
liaison.
Direct oversight of
PW divisions.
406-582-
2273
cwoolard@bozeman.net
John Alston
City of
Bozeman
Water and
Sewer
Superintendent
Water Distribution
Impacts and
Response,
Leader of City Water
Crews
Coordinate water
distribution
activities and utilize
crews for
monitoring water
use during drought.
406-582-
42
Member
Name
Organization Title
Drought Team
Function
Responsibilities
Phone
Number
Email Address
Patrick
Lonergan
Gallatin
County
Disaster and
Emergency
Coordinator
Disaster and
Emergency Services
Contact and
Coordination
Disaster and
emergency
coordination and
drought
communications
coordination.
406-528-
2395
plonergan@bozeman.net
Steve
Crawford
City of
Bozeman
Chief of Police Law Enforcement
Enforcement of
violations in severe
drought stages.
406-582-
2031
scrawford@bozeman.net
Jill Miller
City of
Bozeman
Water
Treatment
Laboratory and
Compliance
Coordinator
Water Treatment
Plant Operations
Monitor and report
water supply and
demand
information.
406-994-
0503
jmiller@bozeman.net
E.J. Hook
Montana State
43
Member
Name
Organization Title
Drought Team
Function
Responsibilities
Phone
Number
Email Address
Communications
Coordinator
drought planning
and response and
assist with drought
communications.
Fred Jones USFS
Fire
Management
Officer
Fire Management
Coordinator
Fire condition
monitoring,
planning fire
communications.
406-522-
2545
fjones@fs.fed.us
Kerri
Strasheim
DNRC
Deputy Regional
Manager
DNRC Coordinator
Assist with drought
communications
and response and
regional water
supply
coordination.
406-556-
4504
kstrasheim@mt.gov
Scott
Buecker
AE2S Project Manager
Drought
Management Plan
Point of Contact
Provide short-term,
as-needed support
and modifications
to the drought
monitoring tool.
406-219-
2633
scott.buecker@ae2s.com
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APPENDIX B - Drought Monitoring Tool Snapshot
APPENDIX C - Drought Monitoring Tool Calibration Snapshots
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45
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46
APPENDIX D – Bozeman Municipal Code Outdoor Watering Restrictions
DIVISION 4. - OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTIONS
Sec. 40.02.1250. - Definitions.
A. For the purposes of this division, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have
the meaning given herein.
1. "Outdoor use" means the use of water, excepting water which has been used indoors and is being
recycled for outdoor use, for:
a. Sprinkling or irrigating gardens, lawns or other outdoor vegetation;
b. Washing automobiles, trucks, or other mobile equipment except at places of business where
such are washed on every business day either with attendants, with automatic equipment or
by self-service;
c. Washing sidewalks, driveways, outside building walls or other outdoor surfaces;
d. Washing any business or industrial equipment machinery;
e. Operating any ornamental fountain or other similar structure not employing a recirculating
system;
f. Swimming and wading pools not employing a filter and recirculating system;
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g. Leakage or other escape outdoors through defective plumbing when a person has knowingly
permitted the defective plumbing to remain in disrepair;
h. Settling back-fill around foundations, pipes, etc.; and
i. Other outdoor uses except use for fire protection.
2. "Water" means water from the city's water service utility.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.010; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
Sec. 40.02.1260. - Application of restrictions.
A. The provisions of this division or any restriction or prohibition in force pursuant thereto shall apply as
follows:
1. To all persons using water both in and outside the city, and regardless of whether any person
using water shall have a contract for water service with the city; or
2. To persons contracting for water service at a location who shall be responsible and strictly liable
for all water use at that location.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.020; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
Sec. 40.02.1270. - Authority to restrict outdoor use of water.
The director of public works is, with the concurrence of the city manager, authorized, directed and
empowered, whenever in the director's opinion the necessities of the situation demand such action, to
restrict or wholly prohibit the outdoor use of the water supply of the water service utility.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.030; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
Sec. 40.02.1280. - Restriction of particular indoor uses.
Whenever outdoor use restrictions are in effect, business establishments which serve beverages for
human consumption shall be prohibited from serving water except upon request.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.040; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
Sec. 40.02.1290. - Sprinkling systems; timing.
Whenever outdoor use restrictions are in effect, the director of public works may set alternative time
restrictions for the use of large scale sprinkling systems or those which are equipped with a timing device.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.050; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
Sec. 40.02.1300. - Landscaping; seeding; sodding; planting.
While it is not the intent of this division to place restrictions on the normal conduct of business,
whenever outdoor use restrictions are in effect, the director of public works may restrict or wholly prohibit
the seeding, sodding or planting of live vegetation.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.060; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
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Sec. 40.02.1310. - Notice required.
Restrictions or prohibitions imposed by the director of public works shall become effective at midnight
immediately following the publication of notice thereof in any daily newspaper published in the city.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.070; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
Sec. 40.02.1320. - Wasting water prohibited.
Whenever outdoor use restrictions are in effect, no person shall waste water which shall include but
not be limited to permitting water to escape or run to waste.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.080; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
Sec. 40.02.1330. - Exception to maintain sanitation.
The director of public works shall have the authority to permit a reasonable use of water in any case
necessary to maintain adequate health and sanitation standards.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.090; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
Sec. 40.02.1340. - Enforcement.
A. Police officers to enforce. Every police officer of the city shall, in connection with the duties imposed
by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this division.
B. Discontinuance of service. The city manager shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this
division by the discontinuance of water service in the event of violation hereof.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.100; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
Sec. 40.02.1350. - Penalties.
Any person who violates this division or the restrictions issued hereunder shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in an amount not less than $100.00 or more than
$500.00.
(Code 1982, § 13.21.110; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
Sec. 40.02.1360. - Legislative intent.
It is the intent of the city commission that the criminal offense listed in this division shall be an offense
involving absolute liability. Unless specifically provided otherwise, this offense shall not require proof of any
one of the mental states described in MCA 45-2-101(33), (37), and (58)
(Code 1982, § 13.21.120; Ord. No. 1185, § 1, 1985; Ord. No. 1201, § 1, 1986)
731
732
733
University
MSU
Environmental
Services
Manager
MSU Drought
Coordinator
Coordinate MSU
water use and assist
with drought
communication to
MSU community.
406-994-
7840
Edward.hook1@montana.edu
Tammy
Swinney
Gallatin Local
Water Quality
District
District Manager
Gallatin County
Water Supply
Monitoring
Provide county
water supply
monitoring data
and support
drought
communications.
406-582-
3145
Tammy.swinney@gallatin.mt.gov
Sean
O’Callaghan
Gallatin
County
Planning
Director
Gallatin County
Drought Plan
Coordinate / assist
with county-wide
406-582-
3136
Sean.ocallaghan@gallatin.mt.gov
725
3203
jalston@bozeman.net
Brian
Heaston
City of
Bozeman
Senior Engineer
Water/Wastewater
Infrastructure
Contact
Support
coordination of the
Drought Plan.
406-582-
2282
bheaston@bozeman.net
Thom
White
City of
Bozeman
Superintendent
City Parks &
Cemetery
Parks and
Recreation
Coordinator
Manage City Parks
and Recreation
water usage and
responses to
drought stages.
406-582-
3222
twhite@bozeman.net
724
water is
prohibited unless
necessary for air
quality and public
health and safety
reasons
721
Fleet vehicle
washing
No restrictions. Washing is limited
to once every two
weeks.
One time per
month only for
health and safety.
Not allowed
unless for public
health and safety
reasons.
Street
cleaning
No restrictions. No restrictions. No restrictions. Extreme health
and safety issues
only.
720
May be watered
by means of a
hand-held hose
or low-volume
non-spray
irrigation on
assigned
watering days,
not between 10
a.m. and 6 p.m.
No watering
permitted.
Athletic and
playing fields
No waste of
water.
Irrigated per
mandatory
scheduling or
water budget
restrictions.
Irrigated per
mandatory
scheduling or
water budget
restrictions.
No watering
permitted.
Golf courses No waste of
water.
Irrigated per
mandatory
scheduling or
Trees and greens
only.
No watering
permitted.
719
D2
Severe
Drought
Crop or pasture losses
likely
Water shortages
common
Water restrictions
imposed
-3.0 to -
3.9
6 to 10 6 to 10 -1.3 to -1.5 6 to 10
D3
Extreme
Drought
Major crop/pasture
losses
Widespread water
shortages or
restrictions
-4.0 to -
4.9
3 to 5 3 to 5 -1.6 to -1.9 3 to 5
D4
Exceptional
Drought
Exceptional and
widespread
crop/pasture losses
-5.0 or
less
0 to 2 0 to 2 -2.0 or less 0 to 2
22 Additional information about the U.S. Drought Monitor is available at:
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home.aspx. Last visited November 1, 2016.
706