Golf course sparks water rights clash in Shields Valley

A new golf course at Crazy Mountain Ranch has ignited a fierce dispute over water rights in the Shields Valley, an agricultural region long resistant to the luxury real estate boom transforming neighboring communities. Local ranchers allege that Crazy Mountain Ranch, acquired in 2021 by Lone Mountain Land Company, a subsidiary of CrossHarbor Capital Partners, has been illegally diverting water from Rock Creek to irrigate its 18-hole golf course. Montana law requires state approval for any change in water use or diversion. According to locals, despite lacking legal authorization, ranch employees began irrigating the golf course in 2023, prompting formal complaints from neighboring irrigators who fear the diversion threatens both their livelihoods and the local ecosystem. Some irrigators worry that taking water directly out of the Rock Creek water system will impact those downstream, primarily ranches. Neighbors even filed official complaints with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. #montana #shieldsvalley #clydepark #crazymountainranch #golfcourse #irrigation #waterrights #controversy #waterrightsdispute #dnrc #permit #changeofuse FULL STORY: https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/gol... Stay up to date with our digital and social media content: Facebook:   / nbcmontana   Twitter:   / nbcmontana   Instagram:   / nbc_montana   Latest local news and weather: https://nbcmontana.com/ Latest Weather Forecast: https://nbcmontana.com/weather Download our App: https://nbcmontana.com/station/nbc-mo... Share Your Photos and Videos: https://NBCMontana.com/ChimeIn Send us News Tips: [email protected] Call our newsroom: 406-721-5642 NBC Montana is a MT based station and a NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs, or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions.