The agricultural areas of the Mountain States have created a substantial drain on the water resources of this region. Northern Montana stands out as an area of very high risk for fish habitat degradation on the few streams and rivers in the area. This threatened area is principally comprised of row crops, such as wheat, barley, and alfalfa production, and cattle farms. Other areas of high risk of habitat degradation, such as southern Idaho and northeastern Colorado, correspond to areas with a high density of row crops, typically corn and wheat, cattle farms, alfalfa and potato (particularly in Idaho) production, and rangeland. Farms and ranches dependent on irrigation require large amounts of water diverted from streams and rivers [...]
