Hugely Popular Wildlife Area Is Drying Up in Montana

Hugely Popular Wildlife Area Is Drying Up in Montana

Every year in Montana, locals and tourists all look forward to seeing the huge migration of snow geese and other waterfowl as they take over central Montana near Fairfield.

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Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area is one of the most popular and heavily utilized waterfowl and upland game bird hunting areas in Montana.  But recent photos are causing concern about drought conditions at the area.

Yes, Freezout is Losing Water in Montana Due to Drought Conditions

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, your eyes aren't deceiving you.  Freezout really is losing water.  Concerns about water levels at the area have been received over the last several years.

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FWP states that "water levels have dropped so low that certain ponds are currently little more than dried mudflats."  Recent low water levels are due to ongoing drought in the area, and FWP says that "Freezout must receive water each year to replenish its ponds and upland habitat, and that water comes from a combination of natural sources like seeps, creeks, annual rain and snow precipitation, along with direct discharge of water from the local Greenfield Irrigation District during the summer irrigating season."

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Drought Can Be a Benefit in Certain Times in Montana

While the concern about drought lingers, FWP says that it can benefit the waterfowl at the area.  "The short-term impact of low water levels and ongoing dry/wet cycles is a valuable component of maintaining the long-term productivity of wetland habitat. Vegetation is growing into some of the dry areas, and when re-flooded in higher water years, those areas will serve as extremely beneficial habitat to a variety of wildlife."

For comparison on water levels, the FWP offered the following photos:

Learn more about Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area at the FWP website here.