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Blue Water Task Force
County: Gallatin
Sub-Major Basin: Upper Missouri
Affected Watershed: Gallatin
Watershed Description: The Blue Water Task Force is a locally-led non-profit watershed group headquartered in the Gallatin Watershed along the famous Gallatin River in Big Sky, Montana. This watershed extends from the south, at the source of the Gallatin River in Yellowstone Park, to the north, where our home river joins with the Madison and the Jefferson Rivers in historic Three Forks, Montana. It is bounded on the west by the Madison Range, on the east by the Gallatin Range, and on the north by the Bridger Mountains. The Task Force operates primarily in the Upper Watershed, covering the mountainous terrain upstream of the Gallatin Valley. Though there are several entities at work in the Gallatin Watershed, the Task Force is the only group working in the upper region. Additionally, the majority of the land in the upper watershed is publicly owned, which is unique compared to many watershed groups. Most of the privately owned and managed land is in and around Big Sky Resort, so the particular concerns of a developing community surrounded by pristine environment are a focus of the Task Force.
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Why was a watershed effort begun? In 1999, the Big Sky Water and Sewer District applied for a permit to discharge treated effluent into the upper Gallatin River. Because there was not much information on the current status of water quality in the area, a group of concerned citizens was organized by Dr. Gill Geesey, Professor of Microbiology at Montana State University, and Jenny Ader, former president of the local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Workshops were held late in 1999 and provided information and instruction on proper water monitoring techniques for microbiology, aquatic insects, and periphyton. The Surfrider Foundation provided funding for the initial monitoring efforts. Because the Surfrider Foundation has multiple water monitoring groups on the west coast with the name Blue Water Task Force, the same name was given to the group that formed on the upper Gallatin River. River monitoring by local citizen volunteers began in May 2000.
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Group Accomplishments: Volunteers collected water quality information monthly from May 2000 to February 2004, creating a baseline data set for the following parameters: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, nitrate, and total and fecal coliform bacteria. Since late 2004, quarterly sampling has been conducted to further support the baseline data set. In addition, we have collected several aquatic insect samples which we have analyzed for abundance and species distribution. A significant part of our program also involves community outreach and education. Through workshops, meetings, school programs, fairs, and other activities, we hope to engage local folks and inform our constituents and stakeholders about the important natural resource issues that affect each and every person in this watershed. And finally, the Task Force is the sponsor of the Upper Gallatin Watershed TMDL Project with DEQ, providing local oversight and administration of this multi-year effort.
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Group Plans: One thing we hope to do is expand our sampling program to include regular sediment and habitat monitoring. We would also like to include more sites in the program. As we grow, we will continue to develop a more comprehensive education program, and are currently developing relationships with Ophir School and the Big Sky Institute to really make our education program a focal point of the group.
Biggest Challenge: Basic administration of a fledgling organization can be challenging, especially when lots of programs are relatively new. Engaging local citizens and keeping them interested in the program also requires hard work and creative thinking. However, moving the Task Force headquarters from MSU to Big Sky has been very promising.
Additional Comments:
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| This information was last updated on: 7/26/2007 4:14:10 PM |
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DID YOU KNOW:
Montana is one of four headwater states in the Rocky Mountain region that provides drinking water for over 60 million US Citizens in 11 states.
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PO Box 17106
Missoula, MT 59808
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