Water Resources of Montana
Welcome to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Web site
for the water resources of Montana. Here you'll find information on
Montana lakes, rivers, and streams. The USGS operates the most
extensive satellite network of stream-gaging stations in the State,
many of which form the backbone of flood-warning systems.
The USGS provides current ("real-time")
stream stage and streamflow,
water-quality,
and ground-water
levels for over 200 sites in Montana.
USGS Montana Highlights
Beginning with water year 2006, the annual water data product took on a new format different from the previous report series. The basic product is a Site Data Sheet that serves to publish all data collected during the water year at any given site in the United States. The 2006 and 2007 USGS Water Data Reports are available online and improve on the previous online reports with a new interactive feature designed to make site data retrieval easier and more convenient. Access the Water Data Report here
() or use the map
() interface.
Featured Project
Clark Fork Water-Quality Monitoring
Scenic view of the Clark Fork near Drummond.
In 1993, a long-term monitoring program was implemented in cooperation with the USEPA at an expanded network of sites in the upper Clark Fork basin. In 2006, supplemental sampling was initiated in cooperation with the USEPA at sites in the lower Clark Fork basin from near Milltown Reservoir to the Flathead River to obtain additional water-quality information related to the removal of Milltown Dam.
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Monthly Conditions Report
OCTOBER STREAMFLOWS AND
RESERVOIR STORAGE MOSTLY NORMAL
At eight long-term U.S. Geological Survey gaging stations, the monthly mean streamflows for the month of October were normal at five and below normal at three. The monthly mean streamflows at the following stations were normal:
- Blackfoot River near Bonner
- Clark Fork River at St. Regis
- Marias River near Shelby
- Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs
- Yellowstone River at Billings
The monthly mean streamflow was below normal on the Yakk River near Troy, Middle Fork Flathead River near West Glacier, and Rock Creek below Horse Creek, near the international boundary.
Water storage remained in the normal range at five out of six major hydroelectric reservoirs in Montana: Canyon Ferry Lake, Bighorn Lake, Lake Koocanusa, Hungry Horse Reservoir, and Flathead Lake. Storage remained below normal in Fort Peck Lake.
For the month of October, water storage at four major irrigation reservoirs was normal at three and below normal at one. Storage at Lima, Gibson, and Fresno Reservoirs was normal; Clark Canyon Reservoir remained below normal.
Streamflow and reservoir data and long-term-averages are summarized for purposes of comparison. Data in this release are preliminary. Final data will be provided in the annual report (WDR-US-2009), Water-resources data for the United States.
Supporting data are
available online
Of Current Interest
USGS Samples for Uranium and Other Radioactive Elements in Jefferson County Ground Water
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently sampled ground water in Jefferson County for uranium and other radioactive elements. Scientists with the USGS Montana Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Jefferson Valley Conservation District and Jefferson County, sampled 40 wells throughout Jefferson County last fall and released preliminary findings to Jefferson County officials on February 19, 2008.
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