Measuring Montana’s Streams: A Stream Gage StoryMap

Back in 2018, Laura Nowlin, Coordinator for the Musselshell Watershed Coalition, acknowledged in a blog post: “In the watershed world, there are a few topics that are guaranteed to be discussed at every gathering: drought/flooding, best local brewery, and stream gages.”

That narrative hasn’t changed, and neither has the important role of stream gages. While we recognize the importance of stream gages in the “watershed world,” we also understand that this infrastructure can sometimes get overlooked by everyday residents, recreationists, or visitors who benefit from Montana’s streams, rivers, and lakes.

To help improve the awareness and understanding of stream gages, the Montana DNRC recently developed an online resource aimed at telling the story of stream gages and the important role they play in water management. This new interactive StoryMap is a great resource to for anyone looking to educate their neighbors or partners about our state’s water measurement systems.