Water Quality Monitoring
Monitoring water chemistry and quality in the Upper Missouri River
“We commission independent, science-based studies of river health indicators.”
Ongoing Water Chemistry Studies
UMOWA has conducted water chemistry and quality studies in the main stem since 2015. The Montana DEQ has supported these studies through annual grants, enabling consistent and rigorous monitoring of river conditions.
In 2017, nitrogen and phosphorous levels increased notably compared to 2016. UMOWA intends to expand studies to determine if this represents a trend that could affect the ecological health of the river.
Our Goal
To establish baseline water chemistry and quality data to assess its influence on benthic macroinvertebrate and plant communities. This data is essential for understanding the relationships between water quality, aquatic vegetation, and the overall health of the river ecosystem.
Reports
Published water quality reports from our monitoring program.
- 2021 Water Quality Report
- 2022 Water Quality Draft Report
- 2023 Water Quality Draft Report
Explore All River Data
Access comprehensive river data, reports, and dashboards from all of our research programs.