Uncategorized
Algae continues to flourish in Gallatin River
Published
6 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersCause not yet determined
By Sarah Gianelli EBS Senior Editor
BIG SKY – In late July, the nonprofit Upper Missouri Waterkeeper began investigating a significant bright green algae bloom in the Gallatin River from the West Fork confluence to Moose Creek, and in the valley from Axtell Bridge south of Belgrade, to Williams Bridge in Three Forks, where the Gallatin meets the Jefferson River.
Around that same time, Gallatin River Task Force began receiving numerous reports of a severe algae bloom on various tributaries of the Gallatin River. On Aug. 3, Montana Department of Environmental Quality confirmed that the discoloration is due to a proliferation of a type of algae.
Michael Suplee, Ph.D., of the Water Quality Standards & Modeling Section of Montana DEQ, released a statement that the filamentous algae “is not a cyanobacterial species (i.e., the ones that form harmful algal bloom in lake and reservoirs). Coloration of these types of attached river algae vary in accordance with nutrient availability, light, temperature, etc.; for example, I have observed that Cladophora spp. are light-green in the absence of available nitrogen and phosphorus, and deep emerald green when nutrients are abundant.
“I do not have an immediate response as to what the drivers may be that are causing this particular algae to proliferate in the river,” he continued. “DEQ is, as you are surely aware, carefully investigating similar attached algae growths on the Smith River.”
On Aug. 15, in response to an inquiry about further findings, Kristi Ponozzo, Montana DEQ public policy director, wrote in an email to EBS that “our folks here at DEQ have not been to the river and don’t have any updates on this.”
The Gallatin River Task Force receives funding from Montana DEQ to regularly monitor nutrients and algae biomass and has plans to sample 21 sites for algae and nutrients this month using DEQ protocols. The sites include seven on the mainstem of the Gallatin, 11 in the West Fork watershed, and three in the Taylor Fork.
“These analyses are time consuming,” Gallatin River Task Force education and communications coordinator Stephanie Lynn explained. “And we don’t expect to have results until the fall. At that time, we will know more.”
In the meantime, Upper Missouri River Waterkeeper Executive Director Guy Alsentzer said that the
the bloom in the mainstem Gallatin has remained consistent in terms of scope and significance, covering at least 75 percent of river bottom in most flatwater stretches and pools for about 7 miles downstream of the West Fork confluence.
Alsentzer wrote in an email to EBS, “While assessing the extent and significance of the Gallatin’s summer algal bloom is indeed technical and time and resource intensive, the river deserves nothing less than a hard look at this pollution event, science-based estimates of causes and sources of pollution, and an unrelenting determination at finding meaningful solutions that protect this important waterway and the communities and businesses it supports.”
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
18mar8:00 pm10:00 pmGays on Blades8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Event Type :SportsEvent City:Big Sky
Event Details
Join Big Sky OUT at the Len Hill Park Community Ice Rink for a free and inclusive ice skating event for all levels. Everyone is welcome, especially allies! There will be
Event Details
Join Big Sky OUT at the Len Hill Park Community Ice Rink for a free and inclusive ice skating event for all levels. Everyone is welcome, especially allies! There will be hot cocoa donated by the Hungry Moose and pizza donated by Blue Moon Bakery. Ice skate rentals are available at East Slope Outdoors until 8pm.
Time
(Monday) 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm