Today, this program continues and relies on support from the community. Each spring, volunteers go through training, to both refresh and advance their water monitoring skills. For each stream, volunteers collect information, such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, and discharge. Our Tributary Blitz will also provide a snapshot of the watershed through nutrient sampling and photo monitoring. All of the data is then submitted to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and is made available to the public through the MSU Water Quality Extension Data Hub at https://waterquality.montana.edu/datahub_about/index.html. The Madison Conservation District also develops a report at the end of each sampling season, called “The State of the Streams.” This report summarizes the findings of the Stream Team and other watershed-related business. To see reports from past years, visit our website!

The streams monitored by the Madison Stream Team were selected based on knowledge of water quality concerns or because they hold a particular importance to the community. As of 2025, 15 streams and the mainstem of the Madison River are monitored by this team of volunteers. Our weekly monitoring occurs at several sites along Moore Creek, South Meadow Creek, and Jack Creek.

Current Stream Team Sampling Sites

This program has been supported by a number of entities throughout the years, which include: Madison Conservation District, Montana State University Extension – Water Quality, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Moonlight Basin, Lillard Fly Fishing Conservation Fund, Madison River Foundation, Big Sky Resort Tax, Jack Creek Preserve Foundation, New Belgium Brewery, Patagonia, and private donors. Furthermore, this work would not be possible without the ongoing support of the dozens of landowners that have provided access to our monitoring sites.

For more information, or to become involved as a supporter or volunteer, contact us at 406-682-3181 or email maia@madisoncd.org.