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
SEPTEMBER STREAMFLOWS AND
RESERVOIR STORAGE MOSTLY NORMAL
At eight long-term U.S. Geological Survey gaging stations, the monthly mean streamflows for the month of September were normal at six, above normal at one, and below normal at one. The monthly mean streamflows at the following stations were normal:
- Yaak River near Troy
- Blackfoot River near Bonner
- Middle Fork Flathead River near West Glacier
- Marias River near Shelby
- Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs
- Yellowstone River at Billings
The mean-monthly flow on the Clark Fork at St. Regis was above normal and below normal at 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 September, water storage at four major irrigation reservoirs was normal at one and below normal at three. Storage at Fresno Reservoir remained normal. Storage at Lima, Clark Canyon, and Gibson Reservoirs was below normal.
The following summary lists preliminary streamflow and reservoir data
and long-term-average values for purposes of comparison.
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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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
