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Hydrologic Assessment of the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

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By Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center February 13, 2020

The Blackfeet Nation seeks an enhanced scientific understanding of the water resources within the Blackfeet Reservation in northwestern Montana. Hydrologic information is important for making informed water management decisions as the Blackfeet Nation progresses with implementation of the Blackfeet Water Rights Compact, initiates new water-use projects, and improves the Blackfeet Irrigation Project.

Access Blackfeet Nation Website

In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Blackfeet Water Department, began collaborating to design and implement a data-collection program that will potentially include miscellaneous and continuous discharge measurements of area streams and canals, installation and operation of streamflow gaging stations, groundwater-level monitoring, database management, and training. The data collected will be used to understand current conditions and will be available for baseline comparisons as Blackfeet water projects are implemented.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Birch Cr bl Heart Butte Road, nr Heart Butte, MT 06094900

Title

Description

Installed Streamgages for Surface Water Monitoring

The current six streamgages have been installed as the project has progressed, starting in September 2019. These streamgages provide the Blackfeet Water Department and other stakeholders with essential information regarding water quantity.

 

Access Real-Time Data for all current sites affiliated with this project by clicking "Learn More" at each streamgage location. 

Specific Objectives

 

  • Establish a data-collection network that will include streamflow gaging stations, miscellaneous discrete streamflow measurements, a basin-wide overview of streamflow, and groundwater-level monitoring.

     

  • Emphasis will be placed on training Blackfeet Water Department staff and other community members to collect, review, and manage hydrologic data. Ultimately providing furnished data for inclusion in the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System database.

 

Hydrology Demonstration Day with the Blackfeet Water Department
Hydrology Demonstration Day with the Blackfeet Water Department
Well Installation on the Blackfeet Reservation
Well Installation on the Blackfeet Reservation
Two hydrologists survey a groundwater well in early summer amongst wildflowers
Hydrologists inventory groundwater well on Blackfeet Reservation, Montana
Blackfeet Water Department cooperator showcases new monitoring well
Blackfeet Water Department cooperator showcases new monitoring well

Find related science components associated with this project below.

link
Blackfeet Water Department cooperator showcases new monitoring well

New Groundwater Monitoring Wells Installed on the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

A cooperative effort by the Blackfeet Water Department, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and the U.S. Geological Survey has resulted in the drilling and instrumentation of a nested pair of new groundwater observation wells on the Blackfeet Reservation of northwest Montana. These wells are included in the USGS’s National Ground-Water Monitoring Network.
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
link

New Groundwater Monitoring Wells Installed on the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

A cooperative effort by the Blackfeet Water Department, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and the U.S. Geological Survey has resulted in the drilling and instrumentation of a nested pair of new groundwater observation wells on the Blackfeet Reservation of northwest Montana. These wells are included in the USGS’s National Ground-Water Monitoring Network.
Learn More
link
An oil well on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation

Establishment of a baseline groundwater monitoring program in an area identified for energy development on the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

As a result of energy development, the Blackfeet Environmental Office has developed a groundwater monitoring program specifically focused on the Cut Bank Creek watershed of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The addition of groundwater data to an existing surface-water monitoring program will help the Blackfeet Tribe develop a more complete understanding of the current conditions of their water...
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
link

Establishment of a baseline groundwater monitoring program in an area identified for energy development on the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

As a result of energy development, the Blackfeet Environmental Office has developed a groundwater monitoring program specifically focused on the Cut Bank Creek watershed of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The addition of groundwater data to an existing surface-water monitoring program will help the Blackfeet Tribe develop a more complete understanding of the current conditions of their water...
Learn More

Data releases for this project are listed below. For real-time data on surface water and groundwater locations, see Web Tools.

Daily Streamflow Data of Swift Reservoir Outflow and Selected Diversions from Birch Creek, Pondera County, Montana, January 2020 through December 2022

In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Blackfeet Water Department, initiated a multi-year hydrologic investigation of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The investigation was designed to increase understanding of the water resources of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation including Birch Creek which forms the southern boundary of the reservation. Streamflow is controlled in
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Find publications associated with this project below.

U.S. Geological Survey and Blackfeet Water Department Hydrologic Assessment of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana

The Blackfeet Nation seeks an increased scientific understanding of the water resources within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of northwestern Montana. Hydrologic information is needed to better inform water-management decisions as the Blackfeet Nation implements the Blackfeet Water Rights Compact, initiates new water-use projects, and improves the Blackfeet Irrigation Project.The U.S. Geological
Authors
Sean M. Lawlor, Rodney R. Caldwell, Timothy T. Bartos, Brett Price
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Geology and ground-water resources of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, northwestern Montana

Ground-water resources of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation are facing increased development for domestic and public drinking-water supplies and for industrial use. Along with the increased demand for ground-water data to address water-rights issues, water-quality concerns, and water-management decisions. The increased demand for ground water and ground-water data highlighted the need for a better
Authors
M. R. Cannon

Six real-time streamgages and two groundwater monitoring wells have been installed for this project from September 2019 to April 2024. Below are web applications providing access to current surface water and groundwater sites and their real-time data.

Surface water sites associated with the hydrologic assessment of the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

Two continuous streamgages  were installed in September 2019 during the first phase of this project and are currently in operation. Additional streamgages  were installed in August 2020 and September 2021, followed by the installation of two additional streamgages in April 2024. These streamgages provide the Blackfeet Water Department and others with important water quantity information.

By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Groundwater sites associated with the hydrologic assessment of the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

While most of the residents of the Blackfeet Reservation rely on groundwater for domestic, stock, and other uses, little is known about the quantity and quality of the groundwater. The initial phase of the groundwater investigation includes an inventory of existing wells and springs on the reservation. This is the first step to a groundwater resources assessment on the Blackfeet Reservation.

By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Blackfeet Nation

The Blackfeet Nation seeks an enhanced scientific understanding of the water resources within the Blackfeet Reservation in northwestern Montana. Hydrologic information is important for making informed water management decisions as the Blackfeet Nation progresses with implementation of the Blackfeet Water Rights Compact, initiates new water-use projects, and improves the Blackfeet Irrigation Project.

Access Blackfeet Nation Website

In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Blackfeet Water Department, began collaborating to design and implement a data-collection program that will potentially include miscellaneous and continuous discharge measurements of area streams and canals, installation and operation of streamflow gaging stations, groundwater-level monitoring, database management, and training. The data collected will be used to understand current conditions and will be available for baseline comparisons as Blackfeet water projects are implemented.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Birch Cr bl Heart Butte Road, nr Heart Butte, MT 06094900

Title

Description

Installed Streamgages for Surface Water Monitoring

The current six streamgages have been installed as the project has progressed, starting in September 2019. These streamgages provide the Blackfeet Water Department and other stakeholders with essential information regarding water quantity.

 

Access Real-Time Data for all current sites affiliated with this project by clicking "Learn More" at each streamgage location. 

Specific Objectives

 

  • Establish a data-collection network that will include streamflow gaging stations, miscellaneous discrete streamflow measurements, a basin-wide overview of streamflow, and groundwater-level monitoring.

     

  • Emphasis will be placed on training Blackfeet Water Department staff and other community members to collect, review, and manage hydrologic data. Ultimately providing furnished data for inclusion in the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System database.

 

Hydrology Demonstration Day with the Blackfeet Water Department
Hydrology Demonstration Day with the Blackfeet Water Department
Well Installation on the Blackfeet Reservation
Well Installation on the Blackfeet Reservation
Two hydrologists survey a groundwater well in early summer amongst wildflowers
Hydrologists inventory groundwater well on Blackfeet Reservation, Montana
Blackfeet Water Department cooperator showcases new monitoring well
Blackfeet Water Department cooperator showcases new monitoring well

Find related science components associated with this project below.

link
Blackfeet Water Department cooperator showcases new monitoring well

New Groundwater Monitoring Wells Installed on the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

A cooperative effort by the Blackfeet Water Department, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and the U.S. Geological Survey has resulted in the drilling and instrumentation of a nested pair of new groundwater observation wells on the Blackfeet Reservation of northwest Montana. These wells are included in the USGS’s National Ground-Water Monitoring Network.
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
link

New Groundwater Monitoring Wells Installed on the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

A cooperative effort by the Blackfeet Water Department, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and the U.S. Geological Survey has resulted in the drilling and instrumentation of a nested pair of new groundwater observation wells on the Blackfeet Reservation of northwest Montana. These wells are included in the USGS’s National Ground-Water Monitoring Network.
Learn More
link
An oil well on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation

Establishment of a baseline groundwater monitoring program in an area identified for energy development on the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

As a result of energy development, the Blackfeet Environmental Office has developed a groundwater monitoring program specifically focused on the Cut Bank Creek watershed of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The addition of groundwater data to an existing surface-water monitoring program will help the Blackfeet Tribe develop a more complete understanding of the current conditions of their water...
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
link

Establishment of a baseline groundwater monitoring program in an area identified for energy development on the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

As a result of energy development, the Blackfeet Environmental Office has developed a groundwater monitoring program specifically focused on the Cut Bank Creek watershed of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The addition of groundwater data to an existing surface-water monitoring program will help the Blackfeet Tribe develop a more complete understanding of the current conditions of their water...
Learn More

Data releases for this project are listed below. For real-time data on surface water and groundwater locations, see Web Tools.

Daily Streamflow Data of Swift Reservoir Outflow and Selected Diversions from Birch Creek, Pondera County, Montana, January 2020 through December 2022

In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Blackfeet Water Department, initiated a multi-year hydrologic investigation of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The investigation was designed to increase understanding of the water resources of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation including Birch Creek which forms the southern boundary of the reservation. Streamflow is controlled in
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Find publications associated with this project below.

U.S. Geological Survey and Blackfeet Water Department Hydrologic Assessment of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana

The Blackfeet Nation seeks an increased scientific understanding of the water resources within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of northwestern Montana. Hydrologic information is needed to better inform water-management decisions as the Blackfeet Nation implements the Blackfeet Water Rights Compact, initiates new water-use projects, and improves the Blackfeet Irrigation Project.The U.S. Geological
Authors
Sean M. Lawlor, Rodney R. Caldwell, Timothy T. Bartos, Brett Price
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Geology and ground-water resources of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, northwestern Montana

Ground-water resources of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation are facing increased development for domestic and public drinking-water supplies and for industrial use. Along with the increased demand for ground-water data to address water-rights issues, water-quality concerns, and water-management decisions. The increased demand for ground water and ground-water data highlighted the need for a better
Authors
M. R. Cannon

Six real-time streamgages and two groundwater monitoring wells have been installed for this project from September 2019 to April 2024. Below are web applications providing access to current surface water and groundwater sites and their real-time data.

Surface water sites associated with the hydrologic assessment of the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

Two continuous streamgages  were installed in September 2019 during the first phase of this project and are currently in operation. Additional streamgages  were installed in August 2020 and September 2021, followed by the installation of two additional streamgages in April 2024. These streamgages provide the Blackfeet Water Department and others with important water quantity information.

By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Groundwater sites associated with the hydrologic assessment of the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana

While most of the residents of the Blackfeet Reservation rely on groundwater for domestic, stock, and other uses, little is known about the quantity and quality of the groundwater. The initial phase of the groundwater investigation includes an inventory of existing wells and springs on the reservation. This is the first step to a groundwater resources assessment on the Blackfeet Reservation.

By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Blackfeet Nation

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