FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 24, 2024
Patricia Spencer, Communications Supervisor,
Water Resources Division, DNRC
Patricia.spencer@mt.gov * (406) 502-8295
DNRC Expands Montana Stream Gage Network
HELENA, Mont. – Water is one of Montana’s most precious natural resources and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s (DNRC) stream gage program is charged with monitoring streamflow at surface water, groundwater and reservoir monitoring locations across Montana. Since the beginning of the year, the stream gage program has been expanding the state stream gage network thanks to one-time only funding from the legislature.
While federal funding of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) stream gage network has remained flat over the past several years, resulting in discontinued gages and steep cost increases to state and local partners, the DNRC operated stream gage network is expanding at a rapid pace throughout the state. The funding from the 2023 legislative session allowed the DNRC stream gage network to expand to a total of 76 real-time gages, moving Montana closer to the goal of 100 -state operated stream gages.
"The DNRC stream gage network provides real-time data on stream flow which can help notify downstream communities of flood danger or drought," said DNRC Water Resources Division Administrator Anna Pakenham Stevenson.
Beginning in earnest as the ground began to thaw last spring, the DNRC Water Sciences Bureau hydrologists and hydro-techs have been working hard to install new stream gages. As of mid-September, 23 new gages have been installed with an additional 13 planned for installation over the coming year. DNRC’s goal with the new sites is to compliment the USGS stream gage network and fill in areas of the state that are lacking hydrologic data. Sites were nominated by other agencies, conservation districts as well as local water users. Prioritization of sites was based on DNRC administrative need, federal and tribal compact administrative needs, water distribution project need, stakeholder need (municipalities, watershed groups, conservation districts), sites that had multiagency benefit and sites that benefited academic and water resource studies. Data is used by these groups in a variety of ways and in each case the data informs water resource decision making.
DNRC supports local and statewide water resource management decisions by providing high quality and accurate real-time surface, groundwater, and reservoir monitoring data, conducting technical analysis of water right applications, conducting surface and groundwater hydrologic assessments, conducting water availability studies, and training court appointed water commissioners in water measurement.
Access to real-time stream flow information from both the DNRC and USGS gages can be found at the DNRC Stream and Gage Explorer (StAGE) platform at: StAGE - Stream And Gage Explorer (mt.gov).
Tags: Water-Resources