While we are still a young and growing organization, we have already accomplished many important strategic initiatives toward a better understanding of the river. Our initial projects were to commission evidence-based scientific studies on the current conditions relating to the insect populations, plant biomass and water quality. Our studies of the macroinvertebrates (bugs) in the river initiated in 2014, have given us a greater understanding of the changes that influence this vital insect population. We have designed and initiated an aquatic plant study which will ultimately determine the precise presence and extent of this plant growth as well as identifying the causes contributing to the excessive growth of plants and vegetation that choke much of the river in the summer and fall.

The sewage spill into the Gallatin river demonstrates the need to have reliable baseline data to measure the effect of these incidents so that those responsible for the potential damage can be held accountable. Because governmental agencies have not had the resources to properly monitor water quality on the river and its tributaries, in 2016 UMOWA began a water quality monitoring program for the Missouri and Smith rivers. As future resources allow, we will expand the project to include the Dearborn and Sun Rivers.