A glass half full?
Deer Lodge has an assortment of landscape challenges related to flood risk, compromised river systems, and Superfund sites.
Restoration efforts are ongoing for the Clark Fork River (including Arrowstone Park), Cottonwood Creek, and Milwaukee Roundhouse complex.
The Clark Fork River is a federal Superfund site, and the Milwaukee Roundhouse complex is a state superfund site.
The restoration of these assets is critical to the health and resilience of the Deer Lodge community.
A major factor tying these issues together is climate. A large portion of Deer Lodge lies within the 100-year floodplain, and yet - the community is equally vulnerable to drought.
There is a real possibility that the City wells could run dry in coming years, though efforts to bring an additional backup well on-line are underway.
Flooding was identified as the top concern for Powell County in the 2024 Regional Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. Drought was identified as the number four concern.
Additional efforts and funding are needed to restore these critical areas to improve resilience for the Deer Lodge Community.
Recent Efforts
2024 EPA Community Change Grant Application - to address needed stormwater infrastructure, flood risk reduction, and improved parks and trails
2024 EPA Cleanup Grant Application - for soil reclamation at the County-owned portion of the Milwaukee Roundhouse
2021 Cottonwood Creek Flood Study
2024 Master Plan Update for Arrowstone Park
Many additional efforts are underway in partnership with local organizations, Powell County, and Deer Lodge. For more information, or to get involved, contact the Powell County Planning Department.