Big Sky is one of the few Montana communities that have never – ever – used a discharge permit to dispose of their treated wastewater into a surface water, and gave up their original discharge permit over 15 years ago.
The Voice of the River
Snowpack & the Importance of Water Conservation
Precipitation is beneficial to our groundwater in any form, and while we are grateful for any and all snowpack that we can accumulate over the winter months, we cannot assume that it will stay long enough to be reliable as a source for our community water year round. That’s where water conservation comes into play.
A sustainable watershed relies on community vision, collaboration, and execution
The intent of the plan to expand the district is to put into place nearly five miles of sewer main along Highway 191 and throughout the canyon corridor, effectively retiring old septic systems that present notable human and health risks. A central sewer system introduces several significant benefits, including better treatment and management of community wastewater.
FAQs: Gallatin River Middle Segment Impairment Designation
Based on a review of best available science from the past 10 years, and data collected by the Gallatin River Task Force, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a preliminary determination that the middle segment Gallatin River is impaired.
Fishing Responsibly: How to Fish for the Good of the Gallatin
One thing the Gallatin River Task Force is striving to achieve is the balanced relationship between recreation and the Gallatin – and there are countless ways to enjoy all our favorite activities while keeping the health & safety of the resource in mind.
Understanding Algae Blooms on the Gallatin
If you have spent time along the Gallatin, you have undoubtedly seen for yourself or heard the chatter about long, stringy green algae growing on rocks throughout the river. This is an algae called Cladophora glomerata (Cladophora). Cladophora is naturally occurring...
As April Showers Bring May Flowers…Now is Just the Right Time to Think about Water-Wise Gardening
It’s hard to believe we have made our way this quickly through April, and are rounding the bend to May! We’ll be seeing fewer snowy days, warming temperatures, and a slow and steady shift into summer mode. With a farewell to ski season pending, we’ll soon be dusting...
A River in Bloom
If you’ve spent time along the Gallatin in the past few summers, you’ve likely noticed bright-green algae covering rocks from shoreline to shoreline late in the summer as you’re wading to your favorite fishing hole. Like us, you probably have questions. To answer these questions and more, the Task Force has partnered with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality on a multi-year study to determine the primary drivers of the algae blooms and what we must do to stop them.
Task Force Raises Funds for Critical Water Conservation and Gallatin River Restoration
The Gallatin River Task Force raised over $200,000 for river restoration and water conservation projects on the upper Gallatin River. This was the largest amount ever raised in one event to protect the Gallatin River.
Balancing the Books: Using data for better water management
By David Tucker, communications manager So far, the banner snow year promised by a La Niña weather pattern hasn’t quite materialized. While the recent storm cycle has greatly improved conditions, this summer’s water supply has still been on my mind lately. Considering...