A new fact sheet published by the U.S. Geological Survey describes the cumulative hydrologic effects of water-resource development in the Yellowstone River. The Yellowstone River is an important natural resource to the State of Montana and is used for a variety of purposes including irrigation, recreation, and municipal and industrial water supply.
“While the main stem of the Yellowstone River is free of reservoirs and major dams, reservoirs on tributaries and withdrawals for irrigation have a measurable effect on Yellowstone River streamflows,” said Katherine Chase, USGS hydrologist and co-author of the fact sheet.
The effects of water-use are minimal where the Yellowstone River leaves Yellowstone Lake in the National Park and gradually increase downstream to Billings. Downstream from Billings, the effects of development are much more pronounced.