Featured Streamgage: Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs
The USGS and partners monitor streamflow and water quality at a streamgage in Corwin Springs, situated on the Yellowstone River, 7.5 miles northwest of Gardiner, Montana. Daily flow data have been recorded at this site since 1890, establishing it as one of the longest running streamgages in the state.
Spanning 671 miles, the Yellowstone River is the longest undammed river in the Lower 48 United States. The river’s reputation as a premier cold-water fishery attracts anglers from around the world, while boaters flock to rapids for whitewater thrills. The Yellowstone River also provides irrigation water for agriculture, drinking water for towns and cities, and supports important ecosystems.
Since 1890, the streamgage at Corwin Springs has been a crucial tool for monitoring the Yellowstone River. Currently, it collects data on water temperature and stream discharge—the amount of water flowing through the stream. Historically, the gage has also tracked nutrient and contaminant levels, including pesticides and heavy metals. From recording historic floods to monitoring potential contaminants, this streamgage is important for maintaining the health of the river and the well-being of the communities that depend on it.
In 2022, for example, the Yellowstone River and its tributaries experienced a 500-year flood event. During this event, the Corwin Springs streamgage provided critical real-time data on stream discharge that warned downstream communities of impending flood conditions. The long-term record maintained at the gage also allowed researchers to determine that the magnitude of the 2022 flood surpassed any recorded flood since 1890. This kind of data can help researchers determine how, when, and why large floods may occur in this area. Check out this factsheet to learn more about the role of USGS streamgages in tracking the 2022 Yellowstone Floods.
In addition, sections of the river upstream of the Corwin Springs streamgage have previously shown levels of ammonia, copper, nitrate, sediment, and arsenic exceeding state drinking water standards. Consequently, the Corwin Springs streamgage has also served as a critical monitoring point for water quality, ensuring the safety of drinking water in the surrounding region.
Featured Streamgage: Muddy Creek at Vaughn, Montana
Featured Streamgage: Missouri River at Fort Benton
The USGS and partners monitor streamflow and water quality at a streamgage in Corwin Springs, situated on the Yellowstone River, 7.5 miles northwest of Gardiner, Montana. Daily flow data have been recorded at this site since 1890, establishing it as one of the longest running streamgages in the state.
Spanning 671 miles, the Yellowstone River is the longest undammed river in the Lower 48 United States. The river’s reputation as a premier cold-water fishery attracts anglers from around the world, while boaters flock to rapids for whitewater thrills. The Yellowstone River also provides irrigation water for agriculture, drinking water for towns and cities, and supports important ecosystems.
Since 1890, the streamgage at Corwin Springs has been a crucial tool for monitoring the Yellowstone River. Currently, it collects data on water temperature and stream discharge—the amount of water flowing through the stream. Historically, the gage has also tracked nutrient and contaminant levels, including pesticides and heavy metals. From recording historic floods to monitoring potential contaminants, this streamgage is important for maintaining the health of the river and the well-being of the communities that depend on it.
In 2022, for example, the Yellowstone River and its tributaries experienced a 500-year flood event. During this event, the Corwin Springs streamgage provided critical real-time data on stream discharge that warned downstream communities of impending flood conditions. The long-term record maintained at the gage also allowed researchers to determine that the magnitude of the 2022 flood surpassed any recorded flood since 1890. This kind of data can help researchers determine how, when, and why large floods may occur in this area. Check out this factsheet to learn more about the role of USGS streamgages in tracking the 2022 Yellowstone Floods.
In addition, sections of the river upstream of the Corwin Springs streamgage have previously shown levels of ammonia, copper, nitrate, sediment, and arsenic exceeding state drinking water standards. Consequently, the Corwin Springs streamgage has also served as a critical monitoring point for water quality, ensuring the safety of drinking water in the surrounding region.
Featured Streamgage: Muddy Creek at Vaughn, Montana