New study released on mining-related increases in selenium and nitrate concentrations in the transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir

USGS scientist and MSU PhD candidate Meryl Storb, is the lead author on a new study linking increased transport of selenium, nitrate, and sulfate into the transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir to the growth of coal mining operations in the Elk River Valley in British Columbia, Canada. The study found that the increased loads and concentrations of selenium and nitrate to be among the largest documented increases found in the primary literature.

The study found that since 1986, selenium concentrations in the Elk River have increased by 585%, or sixfold. High concentrations of selenium are concerning due to the fact that it has a narrow biological tolerance range – meaning there is a small threshold between what is essential and what is toxic. This is particularly important for egg laying organisms such as fish and birds. Selenium can also persist for hundreds of years and is very difficult to remove from the environment.

Data also showed that the nitrate concentration in the Elk River has shown a near 900% increase in the past 43 years. High nitrate levels can have adverse effects on fish and aquatic insects.

The study was reported by the Montana Free Press, which highlighted further concerns around these likely unprecedented increases in selenium and nitrates:

“Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has expressed concern that rising selenium concentrations could be playing a role in the recent decline – 50% —  of mountain whitefish populations in the Kootenai River. Exceedances in fish ovaries or eggs have also been documented in westslope cutthroat trout, peamouth chub and Northern pikeminnow pulled from Lake Koocanusa for sampling.”

Despite efforts by the mine operator, Teck Resources, to remove selenium from surface water before it flows downstream, selenium concentrations remain high. Further understanding of the groundwater-surface water interaction in the area are necessary to understand if surface water treatment alone can address the issue.

New Working Group Paper on Irrigation Efficiency!

We’re excited to release a new paper from our Irrigation Efficiency Working Group. This was a large collaborative effort based on a series of webinars, workshops, and outreach events. The goals of this document are (a) to synthesize what we know about relationships between irrigation practice/management and water supply, and (b) to consider adaptation strategies that work towards win-win solutions for farmers, municipal water users, and river ecosystems.

Find out more here: Irrigation Efficiency Working Group

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A successful Montana Water Summit!!

In March of this year, the Montana Water Center helped to sponsor and host the first 'Montana Water Summit' - led by the DNRC.  

This conference brought hundreds of water professionals together to discuss challenges and opportunities for Montana's water future. For more information, see this excellent summary video produced by DNRC:

MONTANA WATER SUMMIT 2018

And . . video of the actual conference can be found here:

VIDEO OF CONFERENCE

 

Competitive USGS grant awarded to MSU researchers

Each year, the USGS in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources supports research that improves and enhances the nation's water supply.  Known as USGS 104(g) grants, the proposal process is highly competitive with applicants requesting up to $250,000 to support their research.  Recent awardees, Dr. Stephanie Ewing and Dr. Robert Payn (Montana State University), are teaming up with USGS researchers, Dr. James Paces and Dr. Rob Striegl (USGS Colorado), to understand how hydrologic storage changes across the transition between steep mountainous headwaters and depositional valleys within intermountain basins.  The team will use geochemistry of soil and bedrock weathering products to understand sources of base flow (i.e. groundwater) water supply across these mountain-basin transitions in the Upper Missouri watershed.  The Gallatin River watershed will serve as a case study for understanding the mechanisms of longer-term watershed hydrologic storage in the intermountain west, with implications for the coupling between human and natural systems associated with increasing demand for water resources driven by growing populations.  Stay tuned for more about this exciting research!

Interested in the next round of Water Resources Research grants?  Pre-proposals are due February 15, 2017 (email pre-proposals directly to wyatt.cross@montana.edu).  Researchers from accredited institutes of higher learning are eligible to apply for a grant through the Montana Water Center and proposals that involve collaboration with USGS and scientists are strongly encouraged.  You can view the full RFP here.

 

Missouri Headwaters Basin Study meeting

On December 1, 2016 a meeting was led by the Montana DNRC and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to discuss their current work to assess future water supplies and demands for the Missouri River and its major tributaries.  The Missouri Headwaters Basin Study encompasses the headwaters down to the Fort Peck Reservoir, including the Musselshell River basin.  The study will identify potential future changes in water supply and demand within the basin, and possible strategies to adapt that would mitigate the effects of a changing climate in the future.  This study builds on the Upper Missouri Climate Impacts Assessment conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.  This assessment, which evaluates how existing water and power operations and infrastructure would perform under predicted future water supply and demand conditions, will be made publically available soon.  Both the Missouri Headwaters Basin Study and the Upper Missouri Climate Impacts Assessment compliment the focus of the current Montana Climate Assessment to understand relationships between climate and water resources. 

The Missouri River at Great Falls, Montana.