Dear Missouri River Enthusiast,
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has shattered the meaning of normal in our lives. It is important in these trying times for all of us to adhere to the recommendations from medical experts regarding social distancing and staying at home to help lessen the effects of the Coronavirus. UMOWA is cognizant of this as evidenced by our cancelling an event in March. We are carefully considering postponing our Annual Rendezvous scheduled for June 27 in Craig, Montana and we will keep you posted when we have a final decision. We sincerely hope you all stay safe and healthy.
On a more positive note, I am pleased to announce a continuation of our most aggressive project to date: a thorough analysis of the aquatic plant growth in the Upper Missouri river system. Many of you have experienced the inordinately dense plant mats in the river in late summer and fall. These make navigation of the river very difficult and fishing in these areas nearly impossible. UMOWA, by committing to a second year of this project, will determine the nature, density and prevalence of these plants (native as well as invasive) and work with all stakeholders to determine the cause of this phenomena. The ultimate goal of this project is, in a perfect world, to remediate this situation.
This project began in the summer of 2019 and will continue in 2020. The cost for this year’s project is $12,500.00 (total of $22,500 when combined with the 2019 study). UMOWA urgently needs your support to complete this project. Please consider making a significant donation to help UMOWA with this important effort. You can donate through the UMOWA website: https://www.umowa.org/get-involved or send a check to:
Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance
P.O. Box 377
Helena, MT 59601-0377
If you are not a UMOWA member please consider joining by signing up on the website.
Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or suggestions. I am attaching a link to the newest UMOWA video that I know you will find interesting: https://youtu.be/ko_ou0xb6e8.
Thank you for your support and generosity;
Dr. Alan Shaw, Board Chairman
Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance
Email: shaw195@aol.com
Phone: 406-995-2792
