Montana News Roundup: Water Forecast Turns Critical

The latest forecast for this year's runoff is looking pretty gloomy on the final snapshot as we go into summer.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service says Montana's snowpack is just 50 to 70 percent of the median as of June 1st, which is WELL below normal. That's a big drop from May 1st, when the snowpack was 75-to-110%.

The Bitterroot Basin plunged from 75% to only 25% of its median, and every SNOTEL site along the Rocky Mountain Front is already melted out.

And it's not just the Front that's heading toward problems. In addition to the extreme drought around Browning, severe drought now extends from the Southern Bitterroot and Granite County all the way north through the Blackfoot Basin through Lewis & Clark County to the Canadian border.

That's from a combination of fairly inconsistent late-season snow, plus the record, or near record, heat that descended on the Northern Rockies in July.

     💧The lone exception if the Bighorn Mountains, which still show 75 to 120%.

Blackfeet declare water emergency

The Blackfeet Nation is declaring a state of emergency due to the severe drought conditions on the Front.

It's being called a "critical water crisis," and Tribal Chair Rodney Gervais says the tribe wants "everyone" to begin conservation measures as the emergency plan goes into effect.

     -Measures include restrictions on outdoor irrigation, limits on non-essential water use, and bans on fireworks and outdoor burning to mitigate the fire danger.

More than 2 dozen "No Kings" Rallies planned across Montana

It's difficult to predict turnout, but more than 2 dozen rallies are being planned across Montana tomorrow as part of the nationwide "No Kings Day" events protesting the policies of President Donald Trump. Those stretch all the way from Eureka to Glendive, and include every major city in the state.

Senator Steve Daines says he supports Montanans' First Amendment rights to have peaceful rallies and protests.

     However, he's expressing disappointment, especially for the rally in Missoula, where he remains critical of the city for adopting the "PRIDE" flag last week.

Roll out the red carpet in Butte for our newest film star

He's gone from being a country musician to a top rock n' roller, and now it's the big screen for the celebrity with the best name under the Big Sky.

Tom O'Neill catches up with Tim Montana ahead of the big premiere party in Butte tonight.

READ MORE: More About Tim Montana in New Film

Montana Friday Fact:

Montana's 4th driest year happened just 4 years ago, in 2021. The other record holders, based on precipitation totals, are 1919, 1931, and 1952.