Stream Gage Oversight Work Group

Next Meeting Date

February 17, 2021 via Zoom Webinar
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Please contact Paul Azevedo at pazevedo@mt.gov for a meeting link.

About

The Stream Gage Oversight Work Group was created in 2019 by the 66th Montana Legislature in response to stakeholders’ concerns over the shutdown of 10 U.S. Geological Services (USGS) stream gages due to a lack of funding to support operation and maintenance. The loss of these gages came with little warning to the water user communities who depended on them for monitoring and cooperatively managing local water resource plans. The event revealed that as demand for water continues to grow, the continuity of Montana’s stream gaging network is threatened by declining funding support. It also highlighted the disconnect between those entities that operate and/or fund the system and those entities or individuals who rely on it daily for real-time stream information, local planning and response.

Purpose

The Work Group is to:

Review the locations, uses, and funding arrangements for the stream gage network of the USGS;
Review priorities, needs, and expectations of those funding the maintenance and operations of these stream gages and those using data measured by these stream gages; and
Create annually a stream gage infrastructure work plan.

Members

Working Group members represent the seven agencies on the Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee
Organization	Name
Dept of Natural Resources & Conservation	Paul Azevedo, Co-Chair
Dept of Fish Wildlife & Parks	Stephen Begley, Co-Chair
Dept of Military Affairs/DES	Andrew Long
Dept of Agriculture	John Peterson
Dept of Livestock	Mike Honeycutt
Dept of Commerce	Wayne Johnston
Dept of Environmental Quality	Darrin Kron