The golf course at Crazy Mountain Ranch, highlighting the lush turf that became central to a legal water dispute.
Livingston, Montana, July 29, 2025
Crazy Mountain Ranch in Montana has acknowledged violating local water laws by irrigating its golf course without the necessary permits. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is pursuing legal action against the ranch, which has, for now, ceased irrigation as per a court order. Local irrigators have raised concerns about the ranch’s water diversion practices affecting their resources. In an effort to address the situation, the ranch plans to transport water while seeking necessary irrigation permits.
Crazy Mountain Ranch in Park County has officially admitted to breaching Montana water laws by irrigating its golf course without the required permits. The ranch’s general manager, David Hardwick, expressed regret, indicating that the ranch acted prematurely in its efforts to irrigate the facility.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is now pursuing a temporary restraining order and civil remedies against the ranch, with a court hearing concerning the DNRC’s requests scheduled for July 28 in Livingston. This legal action was initiated after DNRC investigators discovered that the ranch had begun watering its 112-acre golf course, including 35 acres of newly installed turf, starting in June of last year.
According to the DNRC, Crazy Mountain Ranch’s activities constituted a violation of the Montana Water Use Act. In response to these findings, Judge Matthew Wald temporarily ordered the ranch to cease irrigation on July 18. Ranch representatives argued that they needed to maintain the golf course to protect their investment in costly turf brought in from Idaho.
Local irrigators have voiced strong concerns regarding the ranch’s unauthorized water diversion from Rock Creek, prompting at least 15 formal complaints against the property. The accusations highlight a rising tension between the ranch and local agricultural interests, with many fearing that the luxury development threatens their water supply and livelihoods.
In a bid to manage the situation, Crazy Mountain Ranch plans to transport up to 100,000 gallons of water weekly from a local water plant for irrigation purposes, while simultaneously seeking the necessary water permits. Under a consent decree filed on July 25, the ranch agreed to refrain from using water from Rock Creek for irrigation. This agreement allows the ranch to continue using purchased water for irrigation as it awaits the DNRC’s approval on water rights applications.
As part of the consent decree, Crazy Mountain Ranch is required to submit weekly reports detailing their water usage to the DNRC and must allow for state inspections of the golf course. Remarkably, the DNRC has agreed to refrain from imposing penalties unless the ranch violates the terms of the consent decree. If such an infraction occurs, fines could reach up to $1,000 per day.
The Crazy Mountain Ranch golf course is situated on an expansive 18,000-acre property designated as a member-only recreational facility. However, ongoing investigations by the DNRC are assessing reports from local irrigators concerning the ranch’s unauthorized water usage. Should the DNRC approve the ranch’s permit applications, it has pledged to drop its injunction against the ranch. Conversely, if the permits are denied, the injunction will remain imposed, preventing any utilization of the disputed water rights.
This situation unfolds against a backdrop of historical water disputes in the region, characterized by limited water resources and increasing tension amongst local ranchers. The agricultural sector has raised alarms that the ranch’s practices could have significant implications for water availability vital to their operations.
Crazy Mountain Ranch admitted to irrigating its golf course without the necessary permits as required by Montana water law.
The DNRC is seeking a temporary restraining order and civil remedies against the ranch, with a hearing scheduled for July 28.
The ranch plans to truck in water from a local water plant, continuing to irrigate the golf course while seeking necessary permits.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Incident | Crazy Mountain Ranch violated water laws by irrigating without permits. |
| Legal Action | DNRC seeks restraining order and remedies; hearing set for July 28. |
| Cease of Irrigation | Judge Wald ordered cessation of irrigation on July 18. |
| Water Usage | Ranch to truck in up to 100,000 gallons of water weekly. |
| Consent Decree | Ranch agreed to stop using water from Rock Creek and report water usage weekly. |
| Local Concerns | Local ranchers worry about effects on their water supply and livelihoods. |
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