2018 Water Legend

Larry Dolan at Work

Larry Dolan

Larry Dolan was honored as a Montana AWRA Water Legend on October 18, 2018 in West Yellowstone, Montana.

Larry has been working in water resources for three decades beginning with his education with a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science from Frostburg State in Maryland in 1983. He followed up with a Master’s in Geography and Water Resources from the University of Wyoming in Laramie in 1988. His first water resource opportunity was at the Wyoming Water Resources Center and soon moved on to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation where he has spent the majority of his career as a hydrologist. Some examples of the types of projects Larry has worked on are: taking the lead on the Missouri River basin water reservation proceedings; conducting hydrologic investigations, stream gaging, modeling watersheds, and collaborating with various state, federal and local agencies. all these projects had the common goal of better understanding and managing Montana’s water resources.  A few of the watersheds Larry has worked in include the: Sun, Shields, Smith, Ruby, Musselshell, Boulder and Milk/St. Mary, and in general the entire Upper Missouri watershed.  Many of these watersheds have a publication about their hydrology that bears Larry’s name as the lead author.

Larry has been Montana’s lead hydrologist for the apportionment of water between Montana and Alberta and Saskatchewan. Participation in the Boundary Waters Treaty with Canada is significant to Montana as the Milk/St. Mary is literally the life-blood of the high-line.  It has been said that during these apportionment discussions that the Canadians would show up with a team of hydrologists and we would send Larry. This is not for a lack of good hydrologists in Montana, it’s because Larry is that good.

Larry has the highest standard of professional work ethic, conduct, courtesy and dress code.  He is highly regarded by his coworkers, friends, the Helena community and the Montana water science community.  He has also demonstrated a commitment to passing on his knowledge to the next generation by teaching hydrology at Helena College and mentoring youth at big brothers and big sisters. Actions speak louder than words and it is apparent that through his career in public service, mentoring, teaching and voluntarism that Larry has made Montana a better place and he is most deserving to be added to the list of Montana Water Legends.