Bozeman Creek vision plan
Summary
A 30-year vision to keep Bozeman Creek from flooding downtown, with up to a billion dollars in property at risk in a 100-year-plus event. The plan pairs Mill Ditch floodwater diversion with new creekside parks at Rouse Avenue, City Hall, and Bogert Park, and it heads to the City Commission on December 15.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 15
- Last 30 days
- 6
Rising — discussed at 6 meetings since Sep 21, 2026, up from 4 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
The Commission has approved $150,000 this fiscal year for further study, with SeeBozemanCreek considering matching funds; full build-out will rely heavily on FEMA and other federal grants, and officials say no bonds, levies, or new property taxes are contemplated.
Downtown residents, businesses, and property owners who sit in the expanded flood zone, plus everyone who'll use the new parks and trails.
Possibly creek-adjacent landowners if tiered setback policies constrain redevelopment, though staff say nothing is being pushed through private property.
Mentions & discussions (14)
Sustainability Board - Oct 14, 2026
A decades-long vision to daylight Bozeman Creek through downtown, divert floodwater into Mill Ditch, and build creekside parks — potentially avoiding close to a billion dollars in flood damage.
Creek Walk: City shares Bozeman Creek vision plan during “Walk with a Commissioner”
Creek Walk: City shares Bozeman Creek vision plan during “Walk with a Commissioner” Fairfield Sun Times
Inter-Neighborhood Council - Oct 8, 2026
The Commission adopts the ambitious Bozeman Creek plan December 15; a rep whose neighborhood sits between Mill Ditch and the creek wants INC briefed on flood-control and greenway trade-offs before then.
Economic Vitality Board - Oct 7, 2026
The city plans to reduce downtown flood risk, improve water quality and boost economic vitality by rerouting Bozeman Creek and using Mill Ditch as a flood control device, potentially converting part of Rouse Avenue and City Hall's parking lot into public creek-side space. It's a 20-30 year, multi-million-dollar project primarily funded through FEMA grants, with a public open house set for November 9 and City Commission consideration on December 15.
Community Development Board - Oct 5, 2026
A 30-year vision to keep Bozeman Creek from flooding downtown, with up to a billion dollars in property at risk in a 100-year-plus event. The plan pairs Mill Ditch floodwater diversion with new creekside parks at Rouse Avenue, City Hall, and Bogert Park, and it heads to the City Commission on December 15.
Urban Parks and Forestry Board - Sep 24, 2026
The draft plan aims to solve downtown flooding by diverting water into Mill Ditch and improving creek conveyances, while creating new creekside parks at City Hall, along Rouse Avenue, and eventually at Bogert Park. The board gave feedback to shape the final draft before it goes to the City Commission in December.
Community Development Board - Sep 21, 2026
A presentation on the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan is set for October 5 — a plan that could shape trails, restoration, and development along the creek corridor.
City Commission - Sep 1, 2026
A new weather station in the Sourdough watershed — the source of 40% of Bozeman's water — will give the city real snowpack and soil data for drought planning, in partnership with MSU researchers.
Community Development Board - Jul 20, 2026
A half-done, citywide plan to reduce downtown flood risk, restore the creek, add creekside parks, and connect trails from Ice Pond Road to I-90. The board gave feedback on draft policy ideas — including a Mill Ditch flood bypass, redesigned Rouse Avenue greenway, and creek setbacks — that will shape the plan before it goes to the City Commission in December.
Bozeman Downtown Business Improvement District Board July 2026 Meeting - Jul 15, 2026
The city is crafting a plan to cut downtown flood risk, improve water quality, and open the creek to the public — including diverting floodwater down Mill Ditch and possibly daylighting the creek along Rouse. A draft comes out in early November with adoption targeted for December.
City Commission - Jul 14, 2026
Halfway through a 47-week planning process, the city and C. Bozeman Creek presented community priorities for flood mitigation, downtown creekside parks, zoning setbacks, and trail connections. Big open question: design for a 100-year-plus flood or stretch toward the 500-year standard.
Downtown Area Urban Renewal District Board Meeting May - May 26, 2026
The city and #SeeBozemanCreek are crafting a vision for the creek corridor from Ice Pond Road through downtown, targeting flood mitigation, water quality, trails and economic vitality. A public open house is June 2, a draft comes in late August, and the URD may be asked for funding.
Inter-Neighborhood Council - Feb 12, 2026
SeeBozemanCreek and the city are launching a 10-month vision planning process for Bozeman Creek through downtown, aiming to fix flood risk while making the creek a community asset. Neighborhood reps can meet the consultants Feb. 17, and there was debate about whether the process will uphold watercourse setbacks.
Inter-Neighborhood Council - Jan 8, 2026
New 2D flood modeling shows significant inundation along Bozeman Creek and Mill Ditch in a 100-year flood, with mitigation options costing $37–80 million. Neighborhood reps worry the C-Bozeman Creek steering committee lacks neighborhood voices and want a seat at the table before engagement begins in February.
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