How we manage our water in the Gallatin Valley matters.

  1. We’re working in an extensive natural water delivery system. The Gallatin Valley is the headwaters of the Missouri-Mississippi watershed that drains roughly two-thirds of the United States. So, what we do in the Gallatin Valley matters—not just to us, but to everyone downstream.

  2. We’re also working with an extensive, local, engineered water delivery system. This system is important to agriculture, wildlife, open space, groundwater, and general well- being of the Gallatin Valley.

AGAI serves the Gallatin Valley through:

Sharing Knowledge
For four and five generations, Gallatin Irrigators have managed the canals that distribute that water throughout the valley.  The flow of water throughout the valley nourishes crops and, by raising the level of the aquifer, helps to keep the valley green.  Water conveyance is both science and art, and our irrigators have the skill and knowledge of how to direct the water and put it to beneficial use.  We do so for our own livelihood but also to create food and maintain open space.  We understand the rivers and streams and have generational knowledge of channel migration, ice jams, floods and droughts.  We are here as a resource to our community in understanding irrigation and water conveyance.

Strong Stewardship
We take our role as stewards of the land and of water seriously.  As one of our directors has said, farmers were the first environmentalists, the first conservationists.  Water is a unique and special resource entrusted to water rights holders by the State of Montana. We are proud members of our community and are dedicated to preserving the system of water conveyance that has served our community for over 150 years.  Many of our great, great grandfathers built the two thousand miles of ditches that allowed agriculture to flourish.  Some of those ditches now run through subdivisions but the responsibility of maintaining them remains with the decreed water rights holders.  The Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators is here to lead with integrity in water stewardship.

Supporting Community
Agriculture is the foundation of our community here in the Gallatin Valley. It is the reason we enjoy the open space that makes our home so special.  The ditches themselves help create our lush and productive landscape during the summer months of irrigation.  Gallatin Irrigators work with the West Gallatin Water Commissioner to keep in-stream flows for wildlife.  We are all in this together and can join in partnership to solve water issues as they arise.

We work locally to educate the municipal and county planners about the benefits of the network of ditches that runs through our valley.  Our Association is a community of people who care about water and land.  We actively engage with various other non-profits and community members to shape the future of the Gallatin Valley to preserve open space and ensure that the water flows.

What does this look like on the ground?

  • Protecting historically decreed water rights at the State and local level

  • Working with the District Court and Commissioner to maintain in stream flows while distributing water to water right owners

  • Partnering with the Conservation District on workshops and events

  • Developing and share tools to help member ditches deal with development pressures

  • Helping members find funding opportunities for improved infrastructure and repair Collaborate with many partners including Gallatin County & Gallatin Watershed Council to document ditches through up to date mapping

  • Encouraging members to protect stream beds and banks through obtaining 310 permits

  • Engaging with the County and surrounding communities to support water resource planning

  • Co-hosting the Annual Judges Water Walk and educational tour - co sponsored by the District Court

AGAI is a Montana Not For Profit Corporation organized as a 501C5 in 2004.

Dues and contributions paid to AGAI may be tax deductible as a membership in a trade or business association