Effects of Water-Use Development on Yellowstone River Streamflow Analyzed

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. 

LINK (via: USGS)

Deja Vu all over again

Oil leak confirmed in the Yellowstone River near Glendive.

As of Sunday afternoon, Parker it is unknown how much oil has leaked but it could be as much as 1,200 barrels -- roughly 50,000 gallons.

LINK (via: KTVQ)

Dec. 2013 SOTM Entry: Yellowstone Brown

Max Wasserburger displays some MT winter kype.

Montana - Wyoming Water Dispute

A legal clash over water rights goes to trial this week as attorneys for Montana press their case that Wyoming farmers and oil and gas companies are sucking too much water from tributaries of the Yellowstone River.

The trial comes more than six years after Montana sued its southern neighbor before the U.S. Supreme Court for supposed violations of the Yellowstone River Compact. That agreement governs water use in a basin that includes portions of Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota.   

LINK (via: The Missoulian)

Report: Coal Plant Contaminates the Yellowstone River

The Yellowstone River oil spill is not yet a distant memory, but oil from a pipeline isn't the only contaminant Montanans should be concerned about, according to a new report from the Sierra Club and other environmental groups.

LINK (via: Public News Service)

The Corette coal plant responsible for the contamination will be mothballed in 2015.

Interior Backs Off Yellowstone River Blueways Designation

Photo: Scott Catron

Wyoming will get a say over whether the Yellowstone River is given a special federal Blueways designation, a possibility that drew concern from the state’s congressional delegation whose members felt the designation was a federal power grab.

LINK (via:Star Tribune)