Artesian Springs Ranch

The Artesian Srings Ranch sits 5+/- miles northeast of Bridger, Montana on Blue Water Creek Road. Bridger is a small ranch town of 750+/- people located 44+ miles south of Billings, Montana's largest city. Cody, Wyoming is 60+/- miles south of the ranch. The south central area of Montana is quite possibly the most beautiful area in the northwest. The Beartooth Mountains dominate the southwest horizon of the ranch and contain some of the most visited small towns in the state. Red Lodge, Cooke City, Joliet and Absarokee are just a few of the towns found in the immediate surrounding areas. The Pryor Mountains occupy the southeast horizon.

Access:

Gaining access to the Artesian Springs Ranch can be done a number of ways. Billings, Montana is 45+/- miles north of the ranch and provides major airline service. Once you land, take Interstate 90 west 18+/- miles to Laurel, Montana then south on Montana State Highway 72 29+/- miles until you reach Bridger. The road from Bridger to the ranch is a well-maintained dirt road.

Acreage:

The Artesian Springs Ranch spans a total of 3,500+/- acres. The ranch is now set up with irrigated hay ground, dry-land farm ground, and the rest is native range land pasture. The acreage under irrigation could be greatly increased due to the phenomenal amount of water that the ranch produces. The acreage leading from the house to the upper pond is a creek bottom with heavy brush and green grass. The majority of the acreage is native grassland with beautiful canyons and ravines running through the ranch. Numerous acres on top of the rock rim surrounding the ranch give elevation and great views. Many of the ravines running through the ranch are rich in a deep red dirt which adds more to the spectrum of colors available on the property. The ranch also has a 200+/- acre BLM lease.

Property Description:

The Artesian Springs Ranch covers a wide spectrum of landscape. When you first approach the property from the west it looks as if you are looking at an oasis. The 300+/- acres of irrigated farm land sit in a basin surrounded by a high rock rim that encircles the farm land and building compound.

Sitting in the middle of the farm land are a number of artesian spring-fed ponds. The spring creek travels from the upper pond down through the valley creating a creek bottom thick with brush and native grasses. The rest of the ranch has a badlands feel to it with all the rolling hills, deep ravines and rims.

The Blue Water Fish Hatchery lies at the west boundary of the ranch and is fed by Blue Water Spring. Just northeast of the house is a roping arena built for running barrels or having the neighbors over for a jackpot roping. A very deep canyon catches the south boundary of the ranch and provides an absolutely stunning view. Standing on the northwest rim looking down on the farm land and deep ravines will leave an everlasting memory.

Improvements:

The home on the Artesian Springs Ranch has 1,647 square feet and is a very energy efficient home. The house was built in 1985 and would make an excellent manager’s residence.

The artesian wells on the ranch have been rebuilt for maximum production and have been well-maintained. The casings and structures are almost new and support irrigation, ponds and a spring creek. The spring creek has been created by a professional pond and stream specialist and uses the same spring water that has made the Blue Water Fish Hatchery famous for growing fish faster and larger than any other hatchery in the state of Montana.

A series of ponds have been built and run a perfect water temperature for raising quality trout fishery. A beautiful pond surrounded by large cottonwood trees was added to the property directly in front of the house. All roads are in great shape and access all points of the ranch. Tree nurseries have been added throughout the ranch and have added to the landscape and views.

Hydrology Report:

In June of 2004 a hydrology report was done on the Artesian Springs Ranch by Land and Water Consulting Incorporated. The following information was taken from that publication.

When we talk of the extreme potential of the Artesian Springs Ranch, we are talking of the existing water resources. In total, the ranch holds water rights of 12,398+/- gallons per minute or 27.6 cfs. Bluewater Spring contributes 3.88 cfs, Prewitt Spring .38 cfs, Ruckavina Well #2 7.50 cfs, and an unnamed well that was drilled in 2004 4.5cfs. Bluewater Creek flows for 3,700+ feet through the ranch and is derived entirely from springs found three miles upstream. The water that flows from the springs and wells is of excellent quality for fish.

The rate of growth of fish reared in the Blue Water Springs Hatchery is reportedly among the highest in the Northwest and is attributed to the mineral content in the water. With the presence of high-quality spring water with decreed and permitted rights for the quantities mentioned earlier, there is an incredible opportunity to create an exceptional, self-sustaining fishery within the Artesian Springs Ranch.

Wildlife Resources:

When entering the Artesian Springs Ranch two things stick out in your mind. First, you are in Mule Deer Heaven, and second, you could not draw a more perfect upland bird habitat. Deep ravines filled with heavy brush, and the legendary red dirt of famous Mule Deer areas of the past run throughout the ranch.

Having all this cover is only half the equation, the other half is a water and food supply that is totally monopolized in the area. No other ranch in the area produces the water, which in turn supplies the hay crop, that the Artesian Springs Ranch provides. Running a spot and stock on a 190 class Mule Deer on your own ranch is a reality with this place. The only thing to blow your cover on this isolated property might be one of the wild Ring Necked Pheasants exploding from cover.

Spring Creek:

With all the water the Artesian Springs Ranch produces, the current owner has added a new spring creek. The spring creek comes tumbling over a waterfall of large boulders at the top pond and meanders down through the ranch. This spring creek was built with the intent of having a trophy fishery. Long runs, deep pools, and rip-rap corners throughout the spring creek were built to maximize fish numbers and growth. The springs which supply the water for the spring creek are optimum temperature for growing large trout. Brush piles, boulders and other structures were added to the creek for the protection and habitat of fish. This creek will also produce habitat along its route for upland birds, deer and other wildlife. Fishability was also a major factor in the design of the creek. Being able to fish the creek with ease and accessibility was on the minds of the designers and the builders. You can tell by standing on the banks of the creek that many hours of thought and hard work went into this creek. You have to get on the property and see for yourself to do this new spring creek justice.

Hunting and Fishing:

Pheasant hunters beware. With this sizeable population of birds, you will have a hard time keeping your thoughts anywhere but the creek bottom running from the upper pond to the house. Hungarian Partridge, Sharptail Grouse, Doves, and some Sage Hens call this ranch home as well.

With the system of ponds and water supply, you will find it’s a prime stop-over for waterfowl and the fishery is becoming incredible. A short drive to the Absarokee-Beartooth Wilderness puts you right in the heart of Rocky Mountain Elk country and the opportunity to harvest the bull of a lifetime.

Other Recreation:

From the ranch, drive 28+/- miles to Red Lodge and find 2,400+/- vertical feet and 1,600+/- acres of skiable terrain. Any cross-country skiing or hiking can be done right on the ranch or in the Beartooth Mountains.

Red Lodge is home to one of the biggest small town rodeos in Montana. One of the most remarkable natural phenomenon in the world, Yellowstone National Park, is a short, beautiful drive from the ranch. This property combined with the surrounding area is the epitome of a trophy land holding.

Broker's Comments:

"The Artesian Springs Ranch holds all the elements to have an amazing wildlife sanctuary and a world-class fishery. This potential combined with the breathtaking scenery makes this property the best value we have listed in years."

Owner reserves the right to complete an IRC 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange.