Phillip E. (Phil) Farnes
U.S. Soil Conservation Service
The Water Legend Award honors a dedicated individual who, through
time, dedication and hard work, has significantly contributed
to water resource activities in Montana. Phil Farnes is the
year 1996 awardee.
Born and raised in the Billings / Worden Montana area,
Phil earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Montana State
University in 1957. Unknowingly, he began his 36 year career
with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Snow Survey in
Bozeman while still an undergraduate. Phil is a legend when
it comes to understanding Montana's snow and climate -- having
measured the mountain snowpack for the past 44 years. Retiring
from the SCS - (now the Natural Resources Conservation Service
- NRCS) in 1990, Phil established two businesses that keep
him very active and in the field.
- Snowcap Hydrology - consulting in mountain hydrology
- Snowcap Photos - specializing in outdoor and wildlife
photography
He also works with the MSU Dept. of Earth Sciences and the
USDA Forestry Sciences Lab on projects that involve "...
working with climate data and its relationship to water, wildlife,
fish, plants and trees in Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier
National Parks --- Tenderfoot
Creek Experimental Forest --- and other areas."
Phil continues to reside in Bozeman MT and is also an active
'legend' in the Montana AWRA chapter, having helped arrange
the first state meeting in 1984.
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