MT · wells & permits

Water wells in Montana

Real drilling records, county depth medians, active contractors, and exactly what it takes to pull a well permit in Montana.

The permit, in plain language

No pre-drill permitgeneric

DNRC / MBMG GWIC

§85-2-306 MCA; Form 602I since 2026-01-01

Pre-drill gate: None — report after drilling
Fee: —
Who files: Property owner applies
Timeline: Varies

Confirm current fee with authority

Before the rig arrives

Confirm parcel allows a private well (vs required public water connection).
Select a licensed well contractor; obtain owner authorization as required.
No statewide pre-drill permit for typical domestic wells — confirm local/district overlays.
Still complete post-drill filing (registration / well log) on the deadline below.

After drilling: Form 602 Notice of Completion ($250) + driller log via DrillerWeb within 30 days → DNRC / MBMG GWIC

WellMap prepares estimate-backed quote packets and dual-party approvals. It does not issue permits and never auto-submits to government systems. The licensed driller (and/or owner where required by law) is the submitter of record. Verified 2026-07-14.

Top drillers on record

Contractor	Wells	Median depth
SHAWN TONEY	6,216	160 ft
PAUL STEINMETZ	3,549	59 ft
TERRY LINDSAY	3,230	145 ft
ANDY ESLINGER	2,640	96 ft
DOUG ASKIN	2,569	220 ft
RANDAL KOTECKI	2,560	140 ft
MARK MILLER	2,263	160 ft
TROY HAUSER	2,175	164 ft
DAVE POTTS	1,951	117 ft
RON ASKIN	1,898	169 ft

Get a depth estimate anywhere in Montana

County by county

Depth statistics across Montana

Medians from wells with verified total depth. Click a county for its permit authority, fee and filing channel.

County	Wells	With depth	Median	p10–p90
RAVALLI	23,153	22,557	70 ft	30–261 ft
FLATHEAD	22,832	22,289	185 ft	28–442 ft
GALLATIN	20,878	20,491	80 ft	35–280 ft
LEWIS AND CLARK	18,147	17,811	101 ft	35–340 ft
YELLOWSTONE	16,352	15,916	34 ft	20–184 ft
MISSOULA	16,165	15,806	100 ft	42–280 ft
LINCOLN	8,682	8,610	140 ft	35–400 ft
LAKE	8,449	8,265	174 ft	38–479 ft
CASCADE	8,041	7,843	98 ft	18–440 ft
MADISON	7,132	6,978	100 ft	30–345 ft
PARK	7,030	6,823	100 ft	31–300 ft
CARBON	6,753	6,605	55 ft	25–245 ft
STILLWATER	6,228	6,006	60 ft	23–257 ft
JEFFERSON	5,745	5,658	166 ft	32–440 ft
RICHLAND	5,393	5,133	75 ft	20–295 ft
BEAVERHEAD	5,383	5,260	70 ft	20–238 ft
ROSEBUD	5,281	4,788	90 ft	22–365 ft
SANDERS	5,198	5,044	160 ft	32–400 ft
BIG HORN	5,065	4,601	100 ft	20–603 ft
SILVER BOW	5,025	4,843	80 ft	18–260 ft
POWDER RIVER	4,569	4,259	160 ft	30–500 ft
FERGUS	4,417	4,261	110 ft	17–606 ft
ROOSEVELT	4,322	4,083	60 ft	18–200 ft
BROADWATER	4,257	4,186	137 ft	30–340 ft
DAWSON	4,136	3,949	82 ft	18–263 ft
MUSSELSHELL	3,899	3,718	170 ft	28–444 ft
HILL	3,698	3,540	85 ft	19–235 ft
CUSTER	3,567	3,437	170 ft	20–540 ft
VALLEY	3,373	3,245	65 ft	23–206 ft
TETON	3,372	3,191	30 ft	14–125 ft
SHERIDAN	2,734	2,634	100 ft	22–253 ft
PHILLIPS	2,731	2,667	70 ft	22–440 ft
DEER LODGE	2,723	2,647	60 ft	24–260 ft
CHOUTEAU	2,711	2,584	39 ft	16–290 ft
POWELL	2,575	2,517	81 ft	27–265 ft
GRANITE	2,498	2,472	80 ft	26–330 ft
SWEET GRASS	2,449	2,366	80 ft	30–290 ft
GARFIELD	2,421	2,358	172 ft	32–400 ft
FALLON	2,084	1,964	165 ft	30–800 ft
BLAINE	2,056	1,905	72 ft	20–300 ft
MCCONE	2,032	1,988	111 ft	34–295 ft
PRAIRIE	2,002	1,900	129 ft	22–754 ft
MINERAL	1,982	1,961	110 ft	40–300 ft
GLACIER	1,847	1,656	80 ft	16–249 ft
JUDITH BASIN	1,795	1,712	100 ft	17–650 ft
CARTER	1,788	1,681	158 ft	28–480 ft
DANIELS	1,587	1,539	55 ft	18–187 ft
PONDERA	1,579	1,502	35 ft	13–140 ft
MEAGHER	1,569	1,535	90 ft	16–293 ft
WIBAUX	1,536	1,434	123 ft	24–380 ft
LIBERTY	1,219	1,140	37 ft	14–282 ft
WHEATLAND	1,212	1,148	99 ft	20–300 ft
GOLDEN VALLEY	1,112	1,042	92 ft	20–300 ft
TOOLE	1,068	986	35 ft	14–220 ft
TREASURE	1,023	948	70 ft	20–280 ft
PETROLEUM	821	689	162 ft	18–1700 ft
Flathead	31	31	180 ft	13–500 ft
Madison	19	19	138 ft	57–370 ft
CAMPBELL	15	15	18 ft	13–35 ft
Gallatin	12	12	111 ft	58–250 ft