Agricultural Irrigators of the Gallatin Valley
The Agricultural Irrigators of the Gallatin Valley (often called AGAI) is a 501-C5 Non-Profit.
AGAI’s Mission
The mission of AGAI is to be the guardian and advocate of the Gallatin River System through the protection of historically decreed water rights.
Managing Water in the Gallatin Valley
How we manage our water in the Gallatin Valley matters.
- We’re working in an extensive natural water delivery system. The Gallatin Valley is the headwaters of the Missouri-Mississippi watershed that drains roughly two-thirds of the United States. So, what we do in the Gallatin Valley matters—not just to us, but to everyone downstream.
- We’re also working with an extensive, local, engineered water delivery system. This system is important to agriculture, wildlife, open space, groundwater, and general well-being of the Gallatin Valley.
What does AGAI do?
AGAI serves many purposes in the Gallatin Valley. Here is a quick look at some of what we do:
- Protect historically decreed water rights at the state and local level.
- Educate local and state decision makers, as well as the public, about the prior appropriation doctrine.
- Work with Montana State University (MSU) and Gallatin Valley GIS to document ditches through GIS mapping.
- Help members find funding to meet their needs and goals.
- Develop and share tools to help member ditches deal with development pressures.
- Work with the District Court and the Water Commissioner to facilitate distributing water pursuant to the Water Court Decree.
- Help host the Annual Judges Water Walk educational tour, co-sponsored by the District Court.
AGAI Scholarships
AGAI is proud to announce the opportunity for students seeking post-secondary education to apply for the 2022 Al Lien Scholarship. A maximum of two of at least $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Scholarships are limited to Montana residents attending in-state schools with any field of study related to Agriculture. Applicants may be entering their first year or any subsequent years of post-secondary education with average GPA above 2.75. Those interested can access the application below; submissions may be typed or handwritten. The deadline for applications is May 1st.
Donate to the Al Lien Scholarship Fund
- Visiting the Go Fund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/al-lien-scholarship.
- Sending checks payable to AGAI with reference to Al Lien Scholarship Fund to:
- Bill Lee
- PO Box 1308
- Belgrade, MT 59714
Checks can also be hand delivered 100 E Wooden Shoe Ln. Manhattan, MT.
Working with Developments that Impact Infrastructure
AGAI’s Development Guidelines Task Force is working with member ditches to develop templates for AGAI members to use when working and negotiating with developments that impact their infrastructure.
Gallatin Irrigators keep the River wet and the Valley Green
Irrigators on the West Gallatin work with the Water Commissioner to maintain instream flows for fish and recreation. Irrigation recharges the aquifer, raising the water table and allowing plant life throughout the valley to flourish.
Members are the Backbone
Communication and participation from all