Mont. Code § 85-5-202
The judge may allow as a charge any expenses necessarily incurred by the water commissioner in the discharge of duties in the employment of extra labor for the repair of dams, headgates, ditches, or flumes when immediate action is necessary to preserve the rights of the parties entitled to the waters of a stream or when the judge has, in the order appointing the commissioner, required the commissioner to repair ditches and keep in repair necessary headgates, ditches, or flumes. The water commissioner shall report all expenses, and the cost must be taxed against the party or parties for whose benefit the expenses were incurred. In the discretion of the court, the costs or expenses may be assessed against the land upon which or for the benefit of which the expense had been incurred.
§ 85-5-202, MCA