Parrot Ditch v. Ashcraft

Summary

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the Water Court’s decree governing Parrot Ditch Company’s three disputed water rights. It held that the service area was properly limited to acreage supported by historical or contemplated use, that evidence overcame the prima facie status of the Townsend and Methodist claims, and that the Nolte flow-rate amendment was invalidly made without notice to affected users. The Court concluded that the Water Court properly modified the priority dates and flow rates.