BACKGROUND

The Sun River Watershed Group was formed in 1994 as a task force to address water quality problems on Muddy Creek. Over the past 25 years, SRWG has grown into a 501(c)3 and has addressed issues including water quality, irrigation efficiency, stream bank stability, weed infestations, and more. SRWG’s projects have always been and remain voluntary, non-regulatory efforts that aim to benefit the people and resources of our watershed.

Over the past 25 years, SRWG has leveraged over $15 million in grants and donations with in-kind and volunteer contributions for a value of over $25 million in implemented projects including:

• Reduction of sediment loads in Muddy Creek by over 170,000 tons per year

• Assessments on over 180 miles of river and tributaries

• 20+ years of water quality and flow data collected

• Removal of more than 500 car bodies and 40 tons of trash through volunteer work days

• Over 30 miles of bank restoration on the Sun River and tributaries

• Conversion of several miles of open ditch to lined canals and pipelines

• Canal automation and wastewater return pumping projects

• Weed removal on over 30,000 acres using 400 volunteers and release of 5 million bio-control insects

• Eight annual weed pull or spray events organized by SRWG and partners in the upper Sun River watershed

In 1999, SRWG received Montana Stewardship, National Reforestation Demonstration, and CF Industries National Watershed awards. In 2004, SRWG received an Environmental Achievement Award and in 2015 was honored as a North American River Prize Finalist.

SRWG is successful largely because of our partnerships. We work with state and federal agencies, local governments, land owners and managers, water managers and users, conservation organizations, and community members.

In 2019, SRWG commemorated 25 years of protecting and restoring the health of the Sun River Watershed with a tour of the watershed and a celebration at the Sun Canyon Lodge.