Teton Cooperative Reservoir Co. v. Farmers Cooperative Canal Co., 2015 MT 208 (July 28, 2015) (Wheat, J.) (5-0, aff’d)

Issue: (1) Whether the Water Court applied an incorrect standard of law in deciding that FCCC’s reservoirs were included in its 1895 and 1897 water rights; (2) whether the Water Court’s findings regarding FCCC’s historical use were clearly erroneous; (3) whether the Water Court’s finding that FCCC’s water use did not increase after the reservoirs were constructed was clearly erroneous; (4) whether the Water Court erred in limiting FCCC’s diversion period in response to TCRC’s objections.

Short Answer: (1) No; (2) no; (3) no; and (4) no.

Affirmed

Facts: FCCC was incorporated in June 1897 to appropriate, transport, and use irrigation water from the Teton River.…