Hot, dry conditions take a serious toll on our farms, our forests, and our watersheds, increasing Wildfires and Wildfire Smoke, and affecting our Mental Health. Low flows are super hard on fish and the many (humans and non-humans alike) who rely on our rivers and streams. For more info, click on the buttons above or scroll down.
Dealing with Drought
It's easier to talk about being "Summer Smart" when it comes to coping with wildfire smoke and heat, but what about drought?
There are things we can all do to preserve and protect our precious water resources and to cope with more intense and sustained dry conditions. Here are some things we can do as a community to protect our watersheds:
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Current Drought Conditions
You can probably tell - we love maps! Click below for a snapshot of current statewide drought conditions. So what does drought look like for our rivers?
Another great map from the USGS shows below normal 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow: |
Water Related News
Summer 2017
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More Water Resources
- To see what our streamflows look like, go to the State of Montana's Drought and Water Streamflow website.
- Of course we have an entire BUCKET dedicated to water conservation and protection.
- Check out what the Clark Fork Coalition is up to.
- Visit Montana Trout Unlimited to learn about and support all the good work they are doing to keep fish alive and water in our streams.
- A few years ago Amy and Jill worked with film-maker Patrick Record to make this Missoula movie - we hope to update this now that the City of Missoula owns our water system. Check out The Hidden Life of Water.
- Also check out this great article from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Energy-Water Nexus Issues Heighten in the Face of Climate Change.