LOWER GALLATIN TMDL PLANNING AREA home
NUTRIENTS SEDIMENT E.COLI OUTREACH
SEDIMENT Sediment is a naturally occurring component of healthy and stable stream systems. Excessive sediment entering streams, however, can upset the balance between naturally-occurring sediment transport and deposition, altering channel form and function, and may adversely impact fish and other aquatic life through a variety of mechanisms that may relate to: loss of habitat, warmer water temperatures, higher turbidity, and other stressors brought on by excessive sediment levels.
Map 4.1 Sediment-Impaired Streams (in RED) in the Lower Gallatin TMDL Planning Area
In order to evaluate water quality conditions in support of sediment TMDL development in the Lower Gallatin TPA, DEQ conducted sediment and habitat assessments on sediment-impaired streams during the summer of 2009, following the DEQ's Field Methodology for the Assessment of TMDL Sediment and Habitat Impairments. Sediment and habitat assessments were performed at 23 monitoring sites chosen using the results of aerial assessment and field reconnaissance. Sediment and habitat assessments in 2009 evaluated existing in-stream conditions and assessed sediment loads from eroding streambanks.
In addition to sediment and habitat field assessments, sediment contributions to impaied streams from upland areas and from paved and unpaved roads in the TPA were also assessed. Table 4.1 below provides an annotated list of downloadable documents, data, and reports related to sediment assessments in the Lower Gallatin TMDL Planning Area. |
Table 4.1 Sediment Technical Assessments, Data and Reports |
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Item |
Document Description |
Date |
Field Methodology for the Assessment of TMDL Sediment and Habitat Impairments | Sediment and habitat field methodolgy employed by Montana DEQ for reach-scale assessment of sediment-impaired streams for TMDL development. | March 2010 rev. |
2009 Lower Gallatin Sediment and Habitat Sampling and Analysis Plan |
SAP for sediment, habitat and bank erosion data collection at 23 sites in the Lower Gallatin TPA. |
September 2009 |
Data and summary results of the 2009 sediment, habitat and bank erosion data collection effort. |
June 2010 |
|
Results of USLE hillslope erosion model that estimates existing sediment loading and potential sediment load reductions through application of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to upland and tributary contributing areas. |
June 2010 |
|
Results of a sediment loading assessment of the paved and unpaved road network in the LGTPA. Assessment of culverts and road sanding was also conducted. |
December 2010 |
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Coordinator Nutrient & E.coli Project Manager |
Christian Schmidt, DEQ |
406-444-6777 |
Sediment Project Manager |
Lisa Kusnierz, EPA |
406-457-5001 |
Greater Gallatin Watershed Council (GGWC) Coordinator |
Sierra Harris, GGWC |
406-551-0804 |
Contact for information & assistance on implementing water quality improvement projects |
Robert Ray, DEQ |
406-444-5319 |
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