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Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
Welcome to the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK), one of the nation’s key laboratories to study the ecosystems and species of the Northern Rockies. Since 2000, our scientists have tackled critical issues that matter to natural resource managers and the American people.
Featured Research
Featured Research
READI-Net—A network of robotic environmental DNA samplers to enhance the early detection of aquatic biological threats
Featured Research
Featured Research
NOROCK is developing drought early warning systems for fisheries and water management
NOROCK Quick Links
NOROCK Quick Links
Check out our most up-to-date data & science, and learn about any upcoming NOROCK opportunities .
News
USGS Research Informs Big Game Management—Mule Deer Sensitive to Temperature Extremes and Habitat Quality
USGS Research Informs Big Game Management—Mule Deer Sensitive to Temperature Extremes and Habitat Quality
IGBST Public Notifications and Resources
IGBST Public Notifications and Resources
Environmental DNA Monitoring Protects Fish Hatchery from Invasive Species
Environmental DNA Monitoring Protects Fish Hatchery from Invasive Species
Publications
Abundance, trends, and challenges facing mountain goats throughout their North American distribution Abundance, trends, and challenges facing mountain goats throughout their North American distribution
Recent declines among some mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) populations have heightened concern about their current status and ability to cope with future challenges. We conducted a range-wide assessment of the status of mountain goats across their distribution to understand the extent and patterns of change in recent years. We queried states, provinces, National Parks, and Indigenous
An integrated drought early warning system to support coldwater fisheries management An integrated drought early warning system to support coldwater fisheries management
Low streamflow resulting from drought and human water use is a threat to freshwater fisheries throughout western North America, creating a need for effective tools to aid management and fisheries use. We developed a drought early warning framework that forecasts river conditions that could result in temporary fishery closures and restrictions across Montana’s renowned trout fisheries...
Science
Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Research in Western National Park Units
Mountain goat and bighorn sheep are iconic symbols of many national lands in the West and are economically important as big game species on some public lands and as tourist attractions in and around national parks. Both species have limited distributions that can be difficult to observe and face multiple stressors including disease, increasing recreation in remote areas, and shifting weather...
Bighorn Sheep in and near Glacier National Park
Bighorn sheep in the American West are a valued big game species and enjoyed by tourists visiting national parks. The populations in Glacier National Park make up one of the largest metapopulations in the continental U.S., and USGS NOROCK scientists have been studying them to inform the management of this charismatic and economically valuable species.
USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights
The USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK) proudly supports Federal, State, Tribal, and other partners by delivering high-quality data, cutting-edge science, and practical tools to support natural resource management. Below are some of NOROCK’s highlights during fiscal year 2025.