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EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN THE CLARK FORK-PEND OREILLE WATERSHED
Impact/Purpose:
Pollution from the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus threatens the entire 26,000 square-mile Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Watershed in Montana, Idaho, and Washington, a sub-basin of the Columbia River. About 85 percent of the watershed lies within western Montana and the 350-mile long Clark Fork River. The Clark Fork River scores as a "high priority" waterbody on Montana's 303(d) list. A number of programs are underway throughout the watershed to reduce and/or eliminate sources of nutrient pollution, including a voluntary effort among the major Montana point-source dischargers to the Clark Fork River. The Tri-State Water Quality Council, utilizing data collected from its watershed-wide Water Quality Monitoring Program, will make periodic assessments to determine whether current programs are reducing nutrient loading and meeting established water quality targets and management objectives so that program adjustments can be made, if warranted.
Description:
(1) Analyze the nutrient concentration and algal standing crop trend in the Clark Fork River portion of the watershed; (2) Provide a web-based data access system for reporting Clark Fork River monitoring information; and (3) Evaluate the effectiveness of current nutrient reduction programs in the Clark Fork River.