Background and Purpose

The Madison Valley is noted as one of the most ecologically intact ecosystems in the Greater Yellowstone Region, and the Madison River is the most heavily fished river in the state of Montana. The Madison River is a closed basin, and new appropriations have focused on groundwater. Center pivots have been installed since the early 1970s, according to an irrigation installation representative working in the area since that time. There are approximately 24 center pivot installations on the lower Madison region (north of Ennis Dam) on aerial imagery. The study will focus on the Madison River valley downstream (north) of Bear Trap Canyon.

GWIP Personnel Assigned: Currently unassigned