PHILLIPPI RESERVOIR located twelve miles northeast of Hammond in Carter County covers 85 acres of wetland and open water habitat. Most of the site is administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management but includes private acres owned by the Phillippi and Gardner Ranches. As with other large reservoirs in eastern Montana, Phillippi Reservoir's wildlife habitat values have increased over time as the reservoir is now over 90 years old. As a result of sediment deposition in the reservoir over the years, extensive shallow water areas have developed which has resulted in extensive beds of bulrush and cattail, as well developed mats of submergent aquatic plants.
The reservoir has a wet meadow zone around the upstream end which further enhances its function and value as wildlife habitat. Recent repairs to the reservoir have allowed project partners to maintain and enhance the area as wildlife habitat for the long term. In addition to being home to at least 10 species of ducks for nesting and migration habitat, the area also hosts three species of grebes, American bitterns, marbled godwits, and black terns. The sagebrush-grassland surrounding the wetland supports upland sandpipers and lark buntings as well as a number of other passerine birds, and provides nesting cover for many of the wetland birds that occur on the reservoir during the breeding season.
