Clearwater Valley Water Quality Monitoring

The Clearwater Basin forms the southernmost portion of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE), which extends from the Highwood River in Alberta to the Blackfoot River in Montana. The NCDE is also known as the “Crown of the Continent'' and has a high global conservation status. Moreover, together with the Swan Lake region and the Lincoln Ranger District, the Clearwater has unique landscape connectivity value, linking the Bob Marshall, the Lincoln Scapegoat, and the Mission Mountain Wilderness areas. Locally, the Clearwater is known as the “Chain of Lakes.” These glacially created lakes, from north to south include Lake Alva, Lake Inez, Seeley Lake, Big Sky Lake, Salmon Lake, and Placid Lake.

The Clearwater Resource Council (CRC) works to engage the community and facilitate efforts that will enhance, conserve, sustain, and protect the natural resources and rural lifestyle of the Clearwater Watershed for present and future generations.

• Build community capacity to resolve issues and promote a sustainable community;
• Create opportunities for interaction among citizens, businesses and agencies;
• Build common ground by consensus process;
• Facilitate timely collection and dissemination of information;
• Enhance the understanding of cumulative effects of land management practices; and
• Develop and support responsible resource stewardship and restoration programs.

Population growth and the subsequent increase in septic tank density in the region has led to water quality concerns. CRC hopes that continued stream and lake monitoring in 2024 will be able to better inform our understanding of anthropogenic influences on our waters.

Evaluate seven lakes in the Clearwater Watershed to determine current condition and if nutrient conditions are changing over time.

Determine if seven lakes in the Clearwater Watershed provide adequate refuge for aquatic life

Evaluate water quality in primary recreational areas

In 2024, CRC conducted nutrient sampling across seven lakes: Seeley Lake, Salmon Lake, Placid Lake, Lake Inez, Big Sky Lake, Elbow Lake and Lake Alva – many of which have significant lakeshore development and associated septic systems. For Seeley Lake, nutrients are being sampled at three sites. For Placid Lake, Salmon Lake, Lake Alva, Lake Inez and Big Sky Lake, one surface and one deep sample is collected for each lake site.

For E. coli sampling, four sites are being monitored: Seeley Lake (2), Big Sky Lake, and Elbow Lake. Additionally, chlorophyll a will be sampled on all seven lakes.

To learn more about the Clearwater Resource Council or Monitoring Montana Waters, click the caption below each organization's logo.