DNRC Releases Summer 2026 Montana Drought and Water Supply Outlook
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), on behalf of the Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee (DWSAC), has released the Summer 2026 Montana Drought and Water Supply Outlook , an annual report that evaluates drought and water supply conditions across the state for the rest of the year.
As summer begins, many regions of Montana are entering their sixth consecutive summer with moderate to extreme drought, while northwest Montana is currently drought-free. Approximately 75 percent of the state is in moderate to extreme drought and another 10 percent is abnormally dry, reflecting long‑term moisture shortages since 2020. Above‑average temperatures and below‑average May precipitation reduced high‑elevation snowpack and accelerated runoff, leading to daily all‑time low flows on the Big Hole, Jefferson, Musselshell, Yellowstone, and Powder rivers by mid‑June.
June rainfall improved drought conditions in parts of north central and eastern Montana, and streamflows have stabilized in some locations, but many communities continue to face stressed water supplies. DNRC notes that local conditions through the summer will depend heavily on temperatures and the amount and timing of rain in July and August.
State‑owned reservoirs west of the Continental Divide are generally near or above average levels, while reservoirs east of the Divide are below average and unlikely to reach full pool this year.
Looking ahead, forecasts show a high probability of above‑average temperatures and below‑average precipitation over the next three months, suggesting continued severe to extreme drought conditions in parts of Montana.
The report compiles information from the Montana Climate Office, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Drought Monitor, Climate Prediction Center, National Integrated Drought Information System, and other partners, and includes links to online tools such as the Upper Missouri River Drought Indicators Dashboard, Montana Mesonet Dashboard, and U.S. Geological Survey Water Watch. Under Montana law (2‑15‑3308, MCA), DWSAC submits this report to the Governor’s Office by July 1 each year to inform drought planning and response.
The Montana Drought and Water Supply Outlook, Summer 2026 is available on DNRC’s website at: drought.mt.gov/_docs/DWSAC-Materials/Water-Supply-Report-Summer-2026-Final.pdf.
