Welcome to the Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Your source for impartial water science and data in Montana and Wyoming
Your source for impartial water science and data in Montana and Wyoming
Current Water Conditions for Wyoming
Current Water Conditions for Montana
Wyoming and Montana Water Data
Quality data to inform research and decision-making
Quality data to inform research and decision-making
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
The U.S. Geological Survey Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center conducts research and monitoring on a wide variety of hydrological issues affecting streams, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater in Wyoming and Montana, across the Nation, and internationally. Use these pages to explore our hydrologic data, research, and publications.
Current Wyoming-Montana water conditions
Current Wyoming-Montana water conditions
Explore real-time streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions in Wyoming and Montana and access data through an interactive map.
Wyoming-Montana Drought Viewer
Wyoming-Montana Drought Viewer
This viewer helps analyze the effects of drought on streams and rivers by showing real-time USGS water data to help define water supply conditions in Wyoming and Montana, with additional weather-related data from other public sources.
Current water data for Montana and Wyoming
Current water data for Montana and Wyoming
News
New data products now available in StreamStats
New data products now available in StreamStats
USGS provides easy access to Colorado River science with new online portal
USGS provides easy access to Colorado River science with new online portal
Tailored sediment sampling can lead to more effective management
Tailored sediment sampling can lead to more effective management
Publications
Preparation and analysis methods for fish tissue collected from Lake Koocanusa, Montana Preparation and analysis methods for fish tissue collected from Lake Koocanusa, Montana
Lake Koocanusa, a reservoir, receives mine wastes from metallurgical coal mines in the Elk River Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Selenium and other elements discharged by the mines into the waters of the United States can pose unknown risks to aquatic life. The U.S. Geological Survey Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center can collaborate with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and other...
Hydrogeology and groundwater quality in the Snake River alluvial aquifer at Jackson Hole Airport, Wyoming, 2011–20 Hydrogeology and groundwater quality in the Snake River alluvial aquifer at Jackson Hole Airport, Wyoming, 2011–20
The Snake River alluvial aquifer underlying the Jackson Hole Airport (JHA) in northwest Wyoming is an important source of water used for domestic, commercial, and irrigation purposes by the airport and nearby residents. The U.S. Geological Survey, in response to previously identified water-quality concerns in the area, monitored and evaluated changes in hydrogeologic characteristics and...
Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) demographics and metal(loid) concentrations in egg contents from the Kootenai River basin, Montana nest box colonies Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) demographics and metal(loid) concentrations in egg contents from the Kootenai River basin, Montana nest box colonies
Selenium (Se) levels in water have been increasing in Lake Koocanusa and the Kootenai River below Libby Dam in Montana due to coal mining in the drainage basin of the Elk River, British Columbia. Aquatic monitoring of Se is ongoing to assess potential effects; however, exposure to terrestrial, aquatic-dependent wildlife has not been investigated. Tree swallows are a targeted receptor for...
Science
Site Assessment and Monitoring of Constructed Wetlands in Montana
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) occasionally causes disturbance to wetlands during construction. To comply with Federal, State, and Tribal regulations, MDT creates replacement wetlands to compensate for wetland loss. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collaborates with MDT to assess potential wetland replacement sites and monitor water conditions at established replacement sites...
Assessing the effects of mining on the Transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir
The Kootenai River Watershed is an international resource cooperatively managed by the U.S., Canada, and Tribal governments. In recent years, coal mining in the Canadian portion of the watershed has resulted in elevated concentrations of several constituents, including selenium, nitrate, and sulfate downstream (Storb et al., 2023). At increased levels, these mining byproducts can affect water...
Monitoring Changes in Groundwater Quality at Jackson Hole Airport
USGS studies revealed that aircraft deicing fluids from Jackson Hole Airport negatively affected the water quality of the Snake River aquifer in northwestern Wyoming (Wright, 2013). In response, the airport implemented improved deicing management and infrastructure. A recent USGS study determined that the airport’s changes likely contributed to improvements in aquifer groundwater quality (Wright...