The golf course at Crazy Mountain Ranch, highlighting the lush turf that became central to a legal water dispute.
Park County, Montana, July 29, 2025
Crazy Mountain Ranch in Park County has acknowledged it unlawfully irrigated its golf course without permits, leading to a legal pursuit by the Montana DNRC. A hearing is set for July 28 to address the violations that sparked numerous complaints from local irrigators. The ranch now plans to supply water from a local plant while navigating the legal complexities of water rights applications. Compliance measures have been established to avoid penalties, but the situation has raised concerns among community members about water resources.
Livingston, Montana. Crazy Mountain Ranch, located in Park County, has publicly acknowledged in a recent court filing that it has violated Montana water law by unlawfully irrigating its golf course without the necessary permits. The ranch’s general manager, David Hardwick, expressed regret for prematurely commencing the irrigation process, which led to significant legal complications.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is actively pursuing legal action in the form of a temporary restraining order and other civil remedies against the ranch. A District Court hearing has been scheduled for July 28 in Livingston to address the DNRC’s requests and evaluate the circumstances surrounding these violations. The legal proceedings unfolded after state authorities discovered that the ranch had begun watering its 112-acre golf course, which includes 35 acres of newly laid turf, starting last June.
The DNRC reported that Crazy Mountain Ranch had engaged in irrigation without the required permits, contravening the Montana Water Use Act. On July 18, Judge Matthew Wald issued a temporary order mandating the ranch to halt irrigation activities on the golf course pending further developments in the case. Ranch representatives claimed they required irrigation to safeguard their significant financial investment embedded in the costly turf, which was shipped from Idaho.
In their defense, representatives of the ranch accused the DNRC of causing delays in the permit issuance process. They also argued that the agency’s additional paperwork requirements hindered their ability to obtain the necessary approvals swiftly. This situation escalated when the ranch began diverting water illegally from Rock Creek to irrigate the golf course, a move that provoked anger among local irrigators and resulted in 15 formal complaints against the ranch’s activities.
In response to these legal challenges, Crazy Mountain Ranch proposed to truck in up to 100,000 gallons of water weekly from a local water plant to supply irrigation needs while they pursued the necessary water use permits. On July 25, a consent decree was filed, which outlined an agreement that would prevent the ranch from using water from Rock Creek for irrigation purposes. The consent decree does allow for continued irrigation using purchased water, pending approval of their water rights application by the DNRC.
To ensure compliance, the ranch is now required to submit weekly water usage reports to the DNRC and permit inspections of the golf course. In a concession, the DNRC agreed not to impose any penalties as long as the ranch adheres to the consent decree; however, should the ranch violate any terms, fines could reach up to $1,000 per day.
The golf course, which is a part of the expansive 18,000-acre property developed as a member-only recreational facility, has stirred unease among local ranchers. Concerns have emerged regarding the impact of the ranch’s unauthorized water diversion on their water supply and overall livelihoods. The DNRC continues to investigate the complaints raised by local irrigators about the ranch’s water use without the necessary authorization.
If the DNRC ultimately approves Crazy Mountain Ranch’s water permit applications, the state has pledged to dismiss its injunction against the ranch. Conversely, if the ranch’s permit requests are denied, the injunction will remain in effect, prohibiting any use of the disputed water rights. Historical tensions surrounding water disputes in the Shields River Valley, coupled with the limited water resources in the region, have amplified the apprehensions amongst local stakeholders about the ranch’s activities.
Crazy Mountain Ranch is accused of violating Montana water law by irrigating its golf course without the proper permits.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is seeking a temporary restraining order and civil remedies against the ranch.
Judge Matthew Wald issued a temporary order for the ranch to stop all irrigation activities on the golf course.
The ranch plans to truck in up to 100,000 gallons of water per week from a local water plant while seeking the necessary water permits.
The ranch filed for permits with the DNRC, and the approval status will determine further legal actions, including whether the injunction will remain in effect.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Park County, Montana |
| Ranch Size | 18,000 acres |
| Golf Course Area | 112 acres (including 35 acres of new turf) |
| Water Usage | Unauthorized diversion from Rock Creek |
| Upcoming Court Hearing | July 28 |
| Potential Daily Fines | $1,000 per day if consent decree violated |
| Community Impact | Concerns raised by local irrigators and ranchers |
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