Long-Term Surface-Water Monitoring in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin Active
Documenting channel conditions during water-quality sampling
at Silver Bow Creek below Blacktail Creek at Butte, MT
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected water-quality samples from selected stream sites upstream from Missoula since 1985.
The USGS began collecting surface water-quality data in the upper Clark Fork Basin in 1985 to establish baseline metal concentrations and loads and was later expanded in 1992 in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to provide consistent long-term data at a network of sites. The sampling was initiated in response to elevated trace-element concentrations and the designation of areas in the upper Clark Fork basin by the USEPA as National Priorities List Superfund sites. This water-quality information aids the public and local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments in assessing risks to aquatic resources, facilitating resource-management decisions, and evaluating the effectiveness of remediation. In addition to water-quality data, the long-term monitoring program also obtains daily records of streamflow, suspended sediment, and turbidity at selected sites, as well as trace-element data for biota and bed sediment.
The Clark Fork originates near Warm Springs in western Montana at the confluence of Silver Bow and Warm Springs Creeks. Along the 148-mile reach of stream from Silver Bow Creek in Butte to the Clark Fork near Missoula, six major tributaries enter: Blacktail Creek, Warm Springs Creek, Little Blackfoot River, Flint Creek, Rock Creek, and Blackfoot River. Large-scale mining and smelting were prevalent land uses in the upper basin for more than 100 years but are now either discontinued or substantially smaller in scale.
Deposits of copper, gold, silver, and lead ores were extensively mined, milled, and smelted in the drainages of Silver Bow and Warm Springs Creeks from about the 1860s to the 1980s. Moderate- and small-scale mining also occurred in the basins of most of the major tributaries to the Clark Fork. Tailings derived from past mineral processing commonly contain large quantities of trace elements such as arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. Tailings have been eroded; mixed with stream sediment; transported downstream; and deposited in stream channels, on flood plains, in the Warm Springs Ponds, and where the former Milltown Reservoir was located (Andrews, 1987). The widely dispersed tailings continue to be remobilized, transported, and deposited along the stream channel and flood plain, especially during high flows. The occurrence of elevated trace-element concentrations in water and bed sediment can pose a potential risk to aquatic biota and human health (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004; Montana Department of Environmental Quality, 2012).
Below are data related to this project.
Water-Quality, Bed-Sediment, and Invertebrate Tissue Trace-Element Concentrations for the Clark Fork River and Tributaries in the Upper Clark Fork Basin, Montana, October 2020-September 2021
Water, bed sediment, and invertebrate tissue were sampled in streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana (MT), as part of a long-term monitoring program within the Upper Clark Fork Basin. The sampling program was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the Upper Clark Fork Basin and monitor trace e
Below are publications associated with this project.
Spatiotemporal variations in copper, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in surface water, fine-grained bed sediment, and aquatic macroinvertebrates in the upper Clark Fork Basin, western Montana—A 20-year synthesis, 1996–2016
Spatiotemporal variations in copper, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in surface water, fine-grained bed sediment, and aquatic macroinvertebrates in the upper Clark Fork Basin, western Montana—A 20-year synthesis, 1996–2016
Water-quality, bed-sediment, and invertebrate tissue trace-element concentrations for tributaries in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana, October 2018–September 2019
Water-quality, bed-sediment, and invertebrate tissue trace-element concentrations for tributaries in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana, October 2017–September 2018
Water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2016 through September 2017) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2015 through September 2016) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2014 through September 2015) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water-quality trends and constituent-transport analysis for selected sampling sites in the Milltown Reservoir/Clark Fork River Superfund Site in the upper Clark Fork Basin, Montana, water years 1996–2015
Water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2013 through September 2014) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2012 through September 2013) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2011 through September 2012) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water-quality trends for selected sampling sites in the upper Clark Fork Basin, Montana, water years 1996-2010
Water-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2010 through September 2011) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork basin, Montana
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected water-quality samples from selected stream sites upstream from Missoula since 1985.
The USGS began collecting surface water-quality data in the upper Clark Fork Basin in 1985 to establish baseline metal concentrations and loads and was later expanded in 1992 in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to provide consistent long-term data at a network of sites. The sampling was initiated in response to elevated trace-element concentrations and the designation of areas in the upper Clark Fork basin by the USEPA as National Priorities List Superfund sites. This water-quality information aids the public and local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments in assessing risks to aquatic resources, facilitating resource-management decisions, and evaluating the effectiveness of remediation. In addition to water-quality data, the long-term monitoring program also obtains daily records of streamflow, suspended sediment, and turbidity at selected sites, as well as trace-element data for biota and bed sediment.
The Clark Fork originates near Warm Springs in western Montana at the confluence of Silver Bow and Warm Springs Creeks. Along the 148-mile reach of stream from Silver Bow Creek in Butte to the Clark Fork near Missoula, six major tributaries enter: Blacktail Creek, Warm Springs Creek, Little Blackfoot River, Flint Creek, Rock Creek, and Blackfoot River. Large-scale mining and smelting were prevalent land uses in the upper basin for more than 100 years but are now either discontinued or substantially smaller in scale.
Deposits of copper, gold, silver, and lead ores were extensively mined, milled, and smelted in the drainages of Silver Bow and Warm Springs Creeks from about the 1860s to the 1980s. Moderate- and small-scale mining also occurred in the basins of most of the major tributaries to the Clark Fork. Tailings derived from past mineral processing commonly contain large quantities of trace elements such as arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. Tailings have been eroded; mixed with stream sediment; transported downstream; and deposited in stream channels, on flood plains, in the Warm Springs Ponds, and where the former Milltown Reservoir was located (Andrews, 1987). The widely dispersed tailings continue to be remobilized, transported, and deposited along the stream channel and flood plain, especially during high flows. The occurrence of elevated trace-element concentrations in water and bed sediment can pose a potential risk to aquatic biota and human health (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004; Montana Department of Environmental Quality, 2012).
- Data
Below are data related to this project.
Water-Quality, Bed-Sediment, and Invertebrate Tissue Trace-Element Concentrations for the Clark Fork River and Tributaries in the Upper Clark Fork Basin, Montana, October 2020-September 2021
Water, bed sediment, and invertebrate tissue were sampled in streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana (MT), as part of a long-term monitoring program within the Upper Clark Fork Basin. The sampling program was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the Upper Clark Fork Basin and monitor trace e
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Spatiotemporal variations in copper, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in surface water, fine-grained bed sediment, and aquatic macroinvertebrates in the upper Clark Fork Basin, western Montana—A 20-year synthesis, 1996–2016
The legacy of mining-related contamination in the upper Clark Fork Basin created an extensive longitudinal gradient in metal concentrations, extending from Silver Bow Creek to Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. Downstream metal concentrations continue to decline, but, despite such improvements, the ecological health of much of the river remains uncertain. Understanding the long-term consequences of the ClaAuthorsSara L. Caldwell Eldridge, Michelle I. HornbergerFilter Total Items: 51Spatiotemporal variations in copper, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in surface water, fine-grained bed sediment, and aquatic macroinvertebrates in the upper Clark Fork Basin, western Montana—A 20-year synthesis, 1996–2016
The legacy of mining-related contamination in the upper Clark Fork Basin created an extensive longitudinal gradient in metal concentrations, extending from Silver Bow Creek to Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. Downstream metal concentrations continue to decline, but, despite such improvements, the ecological health of much of the river remains uncertain. Understanding the long-term consequences of the ClaAuthorsSara L. Caldwell Eldridge, Michelle I. HornbergerWater-quality, bed-sediment, and invertebrate tissue trace-element concentrations for tributaries in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana, October 2018–September 2019
Water, bed sediment, and invertebrate tissue were sampled in streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana, as part of a monitoring program in the Clark Fork Basin. The sampling program was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the Clark Fork Basin and monitor trace elements associated with historiAuthorsGregory D. Clark, Michelle I. Hornberger, Eric J. Hepler, Thomas E. Cleasby, Terry L. HeinertWater-quality, bed-sediment, and invertebrate tissue trace-element concentrations for tributaries in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana, October 2017–September 2018
Water, bed sediment, and invertebrate tissue were sampled in streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana, as part of a monitoring program in the Clark Fork Basin. The sampling program was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the Clark Fork Basin and monitor trace elements associated with historiAuthorsGregory D. Clark, Michelle I. Hornberger, Thomas E. Cleasby, Terry L. Heinert, Matthew A. TurnerWater-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2016 through September 2017) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water, bed sediment, and biota were sampled in selected streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana, as part of a monitoring program in the Clark Fork Basin of western Montana. The sampling program was led by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the Clark Fork Basin and emphasize trace elements associated wiAuthorsTom Cleasby, Michelle I. Hornberger, Terry L. Heinert, Matthew A. TurnerWater-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2015 through September 2016) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water, bed sediment, and biota were sampled in selected streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana, as part of a monitoring program in the upper Clark Fork Basin of western Montana. The sampling program was led by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the Clark Fork Basin, with emphasis on trace elements assAuthorsKent A. Dodge, Michelle I. Hornberger, Matthew A. TurnerWater-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2014 through September 2015) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water, bed sediment, and biota were sampled in selected streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana, as part of a monitoring program in the upper Clark Fork Basin of western Montana. The sampling program was led by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the Clark Fork Basin, with emphasis on trace elements assAuthorsKent A. Dodge, Michelle I. Hornberger, Matthew A. TurnerWater-quality trends and constituent-transport analysis for selected sampling sites in the Milltown Reservoir/Clark Fork River Superfund Site in the upper Clark Fork Basin, Montana, water years 1996–2015
During the extended history of mining in the upper Clark Fork Basin in Montana, large amounts of waste materials enriched with metallic contaminants (cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc) and the metalloid trace element arsenic were generated from mining operations near Butte and milling and smelting operations near Anaconda. Extensive deposition of mining wastes in the Silver Bow Creek and Clark ForkAuthorsSteven K. Sando, Aldo V. VecchiaWater-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2013 through September 2014) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water, bed sediment, and biota were sampled in streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana, as part of a monitoring program in the upper Clark Fork Basin of western Montana. The sampling program was led by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the Clark Fork Basin, with emphasis on trace elements associated wAuthorsKent A. Dodge, Michelle I. HornbergerWater-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2012 through September 2013) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water, bed sediment, and biota were sampled in streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana, as part of a monitoring program in the upper Clark Fork Basin of western Montana. The sampling program was led by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to characterize aquatic resources in the Clark Fork Basin, with emphasis on trace elements associated witAuthorsKent A. Dodge, Michelle I. Hornberger, Jessica DykeWater-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2011 through September 2012) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana
Water, bed sediment, and biota were sampled in streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana, as part of a monitoring program in the upper Clark Fork Basin of western Montana. The sampling program was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to characterize aquatic resources in the Clark Fork Basin, with emphasis on trace elements associatAuthorsKent A. Dodge, Michelle I. Hornberger, Jessica DykeWater-quality trends for selected sampling sites in the upper Clark Fork Basin, Montana, water years 1996-2010
A large-scale trend analysis was done on specific conductance, selected trace elements (arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, and zinc), and suspended-sediment data for 22 sites in the upper Clark Fork Basin for water years 1996–2010. Trend analysis was conducted by using two parametric methods: a time-series model (TSM) and multiple linear regression on time, streamflow, and season (MLAuthorsSteven K. Sando, Aldo V. Vecchia, David L. Lorenz, Elliott P. BarnhartWater-quality, bed-sediment, and biological data (October 2010 through September 2011) and statistical summaries of data for streams in the Clark Fork basin, Montana
Water, bed sediment, and biota were sampled in streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana, as part of a monitoring program in the upper Clark Fork basin of western Montana; additional water samples were collected from near Galen to near Missoula at select sites as part of a supplemental sampling program. The sampling program was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.SAuthorsKent A. Dodge, Michelle I. Hornberger, Jessica Dyke - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.