Dam tender and President of the Painted Rocks Water Users Association JR Iman told the Ravalli Republic that late summer rains boosted below-average water levels and saved what was set to be a “tough season.”

He estimated the rains provided 40 extra days of water for fishermen and irrigators.

“The story is that we’ve been short all year, but mother nature provided two different fairly major rain events over a month and a half and we were able to extend the irrigation season,” Iman said.

In July , Iman told the Ravalli Republic that the reservoir was sitting at exceptionally low water levels; weakening stream flows in the Bitterroot River and casting a foreboding shadow on irrigators in the Painted Rocks district.

Painted Rocks reservoir, which is owned by the State of Montana, holds 3

See Full Page