Crazy Mountain Ranch Sparks Montana Water Rights Feud

You know that show Yellowstone? Yeah, we all know that show. River-diverting, out-of-staters whining about cattle, and luxury resorts popping up in the middle of untouched Montana. Classic TV drama. But a recent real-life headline feels like it was ripped straight from a few episodes… and it’s happening just outside of Bozeman.

The Crazy Mountain Ranch, once owned by none other than Philip Morris (yep, Marlboro), was sold in 2021 to Lone Mountain Land Company. Not ringing a bell? That’s the development arm of CrossHarbor Capital Partners. And they happen to own the Yellowstone Club. Yes, that Yellowstone Club. The ultra-private, Big Sky playground for the rich and famous.

Crazy Mountain Ranch has been raising eyebrows again... this time over water. There has already been a lawsuit filed July 11th from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation over the ranch violating the Montana Water Use Act.

The city confirmed they’ve been selling water to a contractor who is believed to be using it on the new golf course. Right now, it’s around 27,000 gallons a day, but the ranch has floated the idea of trucking in up to 110,000 gallons per-day according to reporting by the Montana Free Press.

City officials say they’re only selling what their system can handle, and the deal is bringing in extra cash for local projects. Big Timber Councilwoman Kerri Baird said there’s no long-term contract and if things change, they’ll shut it down. At $14 per 1,000 gallons, the sale isn't out of the ordinary, construction companies and railroads have used similar deals, but this one hits differently. Some locals are upset, especially with the ranch facing a lawsuit from the state for allegedly using water without a valid right.

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From the ranchers' perspective, this feels familiar. Over in Clyde Park, tensions boiled over just last month as ranchers accused Crazy Mountain Ranch of taking more than their fair share. Water isn’t just water out here, it’s survival. For generations, these ranchers have depended on it to raise cattle and keep their land alive. So when a luxury resort starts irrigating a golf course in a drought-prone state, it’s no surprise the pitchforks come out. A preliminary hearing is set for July 28 to sort through the mess.