Welcome to Pondera County

Published: 2022
By Wendy Wedum

Pondera County is in the heart of the Golden Triangle, famous for quality wheat and barley production. This rural county covers 1,625 square miles and has approximately 6400 residents in Conrad, Valier, Dupuyer, Brady, and Heart Butte communities. The elevation varies from 3300' on the eastern plains to 8500' at the Continental Divide. Major watersheds include the Marias and Teton River drainages. Lake Frances near Valier is fed from Swift Reservoir and is a major supplier of irrigation and household water. The Tiber water system on the Marias River serves 270 households, using water impounded at Lake Elwell. There are approximately 950,000 acres of farmland, including pasture, irrigated and dry land. Crops include wheat, barley, pulses, oilseeds, and hay. Cattle and sheep are important agricultural products along with hogs, poultry, eggs and produce from five Hutterite Colonies. Health facilities and retirement homes are important economic contributors in Pondera County. The Logan Health - Conrad Medical Center is a modern facility and serves a multi-county area with an economic impact of over $12 million.