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
Sampling and analysis plan for the water-quality monitoring program in Lake Koocanusa and upper Kootenai River, Montana, water years 2022–23 Sampling and analysis plan for the water-quality monitoring program in Lake Koocanusa and upper Kootenai River, Montana, water years 2022–23
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, collected water-quality samples and environmental data in Lake Koocanusa (also known as “Koocanusa Reservoir”), the Kootenai River, and the Tobacco River during water years 2022–23. The transboundary Lake Koocanusa is in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, and northwestern Montana, United States...
Lost in translation: Reconciling different streamflow permanence data products Lost in translation: Reconciling different streamflow permanence data products
The objective of this study is to provide a framework to reconcile streamflow permanence products that provide information on whether a stream is perennial or nonperennial. Accurate classification of streams as perennial or nonperennial is important for a variety of land and water resource management decisions. However, resource managers are challenged with how to reconcile different...
Detection of Naegleria fowleri in thermally impacted recreational waters of western United States national parks Detection of Naegleria fowleri in thermally impacted recreational waters of western United States national parks
Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic free-living amoeba (FLA) and the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, posing public health risks in warm freshwater environments. This multiyear, multiagency study surveyed 40 thermally impacted recreational waters across five western United States national parks and recreation areas–Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National...
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...