Volunteers and biologists wade in the West Fork of the Gallatin River gathering data on fish populations to aid in tracking water quality in the area. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GALLATIN WATERSHED COUNCIL
She walks calf-deep through the creek, following her rod in the hopes it will lead her to a healthy trout hidden in the West Fork’s cold riffles. Today, there’s no hook at the end of her line and no reel in her hand. Instead, she wields an electrofisher that conducts a weak electric pulse, and she’s shocking trout into her partner’s net.
This volunteer is assisting a team of biologists hoping to establish baseline fisheries data on Gallatin River tributaries, tracking species composition over time and impacts from climate change, development and shifting angler pressures.
The fish count is being conducted under the leadership of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and agency fisheries biologist Mike Duncan is happy with what he sees.
“This is standard to what we see on streams of similar size,” Duncan says. “Nothing surprising, and that’s encouraging.”
Given 2021’s lack of precipitation, high temperatures and low stream flows, conditions could have been a lot worse, but this is why accurate monitoring is so vital. Decisions can’t be made on anecdotes alone.
“Having baseline data is critically important,” says Connor Parrish, Trout Unlimited project manager with the Gallatin Home Rivers Initiative. “If we aren’t out there collecting, how will we know when things are going wrong?”
This is a sentiment long held by the Gallatin River Task Force’s Chief Executive and Science Officer Kristin Gardner. “Our project work has always been data-driven,” Gardner says. “Fisheries data combined with our water quality and quantity data will provide us with a better understanding of how to best respond and prioritize our future conservation projects.”
In many ways, the species composition of the Gallatin and its tributaries can act as the canary in the coal mine—or brown trout in the West Fork, as it were.
“Over time, we’ll be able to look at the changes in fish assemblages, and identify potential causes,” Duncan says. “Water use is a big change—more people use more water.”
As Big Sky continues to grow and visitation continues to increase, stream flows in tributaries will be impacted. Lower stream flows lead to higher water temperatures, and certain trout species do better as temps increase, such as browns.
Which isn’t to say that brown trout are a bad thing. If, however, their numbers increase in the upper Gallatin while cutthroat and rainbow numbers dwindle, it could signal unfavorable changes to water quality that will need to be addressed.
With only one data point to draw from, this collaborative monitoring effort is just getting underway. The partners will need time to collect more samples and begin analyzing results, but it is a promising sign of increased awareness and collaboration.
“To ensure the Gallatin is healthy and that our fisheries remain vibrant, we’re going to need to pool resources, human, financial and otherwise,” Gardner says. “The more partners and stakeholders at the table, the more likely we are to succeed.”
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary.Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm