Programs

To accomplish its mission to promote the stewardship of the Upper Gallatin watershed, the Blue Water Task Force has four main programs: 1) Community Water Quality Monitoring, 2) Community Outreach and Eduction, 3) Watershed Resource Assessment, and 4) Watershed Restoration.

Community Water Quality Monitoring Program
The Blue Water Task Force Community Water Quality Monitoring Program includes quarterly water quality sampling at 9 sites in the Upper Gallatin watershed and biannual collection of macroinvertebrates ("stream bugs"). To volunteer or ride along with BWTF during one of their quarterly sampling days to learn more about the Gallatin watershed contact Kristin Gardner at the BWTF office (993-2519).

Director Kristin Gardner and board member Jon Holtzman
collecting water samples on a cool spring day.

Volunteer Paul Wagner collecting aquatic insects for an annual macroinvertebrate inventory.

Community Outreach and Education Program
The Blue Water Task Force is very actively involved in the Big Sky community. Examples of activities in the Communitiy Outreach and Education include developing and implementing science curriculum at Ophir School and Lone Peak High School. Students learn by doing real science in the field. For example, students learn how to collect water samples, measure stream flow and analyze the data. Check out the following example of a student brochure:

Ophir School Water Quality Brochure Example

Other examples of BWTFs Community and Outreach and Education Program include an informational booth at the Big Sky Country fair, community presentations and workshops, Camp Big Sky programs, and Big Sky Institutes Science Fridays. In spring 2007, BWTF recently received funds from the Montana DEQ to put signs at designated BWTF stream monitoring sites. Signs were designed by Ophir 4th Grade teacher, Jeremy Harder, and installed with the help of local Big Sky resident, Kevin Budd. While hard at work on a beautiful Big Sky "autumn" day, they managed to stir up some of the local wildlife.

Kevin Budd standing next to a new Blue Water Task Force sign indicating a BWTF
quarterly stream monitoring site. These signs were funded by the funded by the
MTDEQ Mini-Grant Program.

Watershed Resource Assessment Program
The Water Resource Assessment Program involves more intensive assessment of pollutants that have been identified as interfering with proper watershed function. The Blue Water Task Force is the liason between the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MTDEQ) and the Big Sky community for the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program. The TMDL program aims to determine if streams are being impacted by pollution. In the Upper Gallatin watershed, TMDL studies are being done for nutrients, sediment, and pathogens. To read completed TMDL reports go to our Document “Libraries”.

Banning Starr of Montana DEQ assessing sediment, streambank
stability and riff/pool trout habitat as part of TMDL assessment.

Watershed Restoration

New in 2010 is the Watershed Restoration Program. BWTF is currently working on developing a Watershed Restoration Plan funded by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MTDEQ). Once the MTDEQ has approved the Watershed Restoration Plan, BWTF will work to fund local stream restoration projects. More to come soon!

Highline Partners Inc. played their part in helping out our local and global community with sharing 1% of their earnings to Blue Water Task Force in an effort to help manage our local watershed. Thank you Todd and Rob!


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Programs To accomplish its mission to promote the stewardship of the Upper Gallatin watershed, the Blue Water Task Force has four main programs: 1) Community Water Quality Monitoring, 2) Community Outreach and Eduction, 3) Watershed Resource Assessment, and 4) Watershed Restoration. Community Water Quality Monitoring Program The Blue Water Task Force Community Water Quality Monitoring Program includes quarterly water quality sampling at 9 sites in the Upper Gallatin watershed and biannual collection of macroinvertebrates ("stream bugs"). To volunteer or ride along with BWTF during one of their quarterly sampling days to learn more about the Gallatin watershed contact Kristin Gardner at the BWTF office (993-2519). Director Kristin Gardner and board member Jon Holtzman collecting water samples on a cool spring day. Volunteer Paul Wagner collecting aquatic insects for an annual macroinvertebrate inventory. Community Outreach and Education Program The Blue Water Task Force is very actively involved in the Big Sky community. Examples of activities in the Communitiy Outreach and Education include developing and implementing science curriculum at Ophir School and Lone Peak High School. Students learn by doing real science in the field. For example, students learn how to collect water samples, measure stream flow and analyze the data. Check out the following example of a student brochure: Ophir School Water Quality Brochure Example Other examples of BWTFs Community and Outreach and Education Program include an informational booth at the Big Sky Country fair, community presentations and workshops, Camp Big Sky programs, and Big Sky Institutes Science Fridays. In spring 2007, BWTF recently received funds from the Montana DEQ to put signs at designated BWTF stream monitoring sites. Signs were designed by Ophir 4th Grade teacher, Jeremy Harder, and installed with the help of local Big Sky resident, Kevin Budd. While hard at work on a beautiful Big Sky "autumn" day, they managed to stir up some of the local wildlife. Kevin Budd standing next to a new Blue Water Task Force sign indicating a BWTF quarterly stream monitoring site. These signs were funded by the funded by the MTDEQ Mini-Grant Program. Watershed Resource Assessment Program The Water Resource Assessment Program involves more intensive assessment of pollutants that have been identified as interfering with proper watershed function. The Blue Water Task Force is the liason between the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MTDEQ) and the Big Sky community for the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program. The TMDL program aims to determine if streams are being impacted by pollution. In the Upper Gallatin watershed, TMDL studies are being done for nutrients, sediment, and pathogens. To read completed TMDL reports go to our Document “Libraries”. Banning Starr of Montana DEQ assessing sediment, streambank stability and riff/pool trout habitat as part of TMDL assessment. Watershed Restoration New in 2010 is the Watershed Restoration Program. BWTF is currently working on developing a Watershed Restoration Plan funded by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MTDEQ). Once the MTDEQ has approved the Watershed Restoration Plan, BWTF will work to fund local stream restoration projects. More to come soon! Highline Partners Inc. played their part in helping out our local and global community with sharing 1% of their earnings to Blue Water Task Force in an effort to help manage our local watershed. Thank you Todd and Rob!