Thank you for your interest in the Blackfoot Challenge's drought efforts!

Drought Committee Updates:

August 1, 2008

Dear Blackfoot Water Users,

The Blackfoot Drought Committee has been monitoring stream flows and water temperatures throughout the summer.  Flows have been at or above average for most of the year thanks in large part to good snow pack and a longer snowmelt/runoff period.  With relatively mild summer temperatures and higher flows, water temperatures have remained low.

Flows in the Blackfoot River at the time of this letter were 965 cfs.  Flows declined steadily throughout much of July but the loss of flows has begun to slow down in the past several days.  According to the most recent low flow forecast from NRCS, flows are expected to fall below the 700 cfs Drought Response Plan Trigger under the following conditions:

Average precipitation: August 23rd and August 28th

• Below average precipitation: August 18th and August 23rd
• Well below average precipitation: August 12th and August 18th

Given the amount of precipitation received since early June, mid-August low flows are a strong possibility. 

As flows have declined, water temperatures in the River have increased recently.  The Blackfoot River near Bonner reached a high of 68 degrees on July 27th and July 28th.  Temperatures in the North Fork Blackfoot River and Monture Creek have however remained within average ranges.

Overall, conditions at this time are best described as normal and much better than the last several years.  Unless there are significant changes in flows or water temperatures, the need for the Drought Response at this time appears low.  That being said, the Committee encourages water users to monitor flows and to check the Challenge website (www.blackfootchallenge.org) for further updates.  If flows are below 700 cfs and River temperatures are above 70 degrees in late August, any actions taken by water users to reduce or minimize impacts on water and fisheries resources would be beneficial.

Thank you and please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Harry Poett                            Brian McDonald
Drought Committee Chair          Coordinator
793-5107                              493-0033
poetts@blackfoot.net              brian@blackfootchallenge.org

Monitoring Drought Conditions in the Blackfoot:

Monitoring Streamflow:

Current streamflow conditions listed by gauge station. Five gauge stations are located in the Blackfoot: Blackfoot River near Bonner, North Fork Blackfoot River near Ovando, Blackfoot River above Nevada Creek, Nevada Creek above reservoir and Nevada Creek at the mouth.  USGS Real-Time Data for Montana Streamflow

Monitoring Water Supply: 

5 monthly Water Supply Outlook Reports and the Low Flow forecast data.  NRCS Water Supply & Reservoir Storage

Monitoring Precipitation:

Snow and precipitation data (both site and basin wide) for the current water year.  NRCS Snow Survey Program

Drought Education & Mitigation:

National Drought Mitigation Center
Important information on the impacts and effects of drought.

Montana Natural Resource Information System
Links to various state and federal agencies as well as drought data, resources and assistance.

Montana Natural Resource Conservation Service
The NRCS Montana State website contains substantial information on crop and range management, wildfire, water conservation, and tips for homeowners in the Technical Resources section.

Water saving tips for the home.

Governor's Drought Information Webpage

Protecting Your Home From Fire:

Fire Wise

Tips for fire safety, links to other helpful websites, educational material, and technical assistance.

Keep Green

Tips on how to make your home fire safe from landscaping to indoors.

Fishing & Recreation:

Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks

Information on impacts of drought to fish & wildlife.  Tips on how general recreating public (anglers, hunters, etc) can  help reduce impacts.  FWP fishing closure policies and status reports.

Web Page Invites Public to Participate in Blackfoot River Planning Process

Visitors to a new page on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website can track developments in a process to create a Blackfoot River Recreation Management Plan and participate by submitting questions and comments online.