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Researchers Study Effects of Coalbed Methane on Fish

Water Center’s First Fellow Shares Research Results: Recreational Impacts in the Yellowstone Watershed

Megan McBride, Montana Water Center's first student water research fellowship recipient

The Yellowstone River remains one of the most beloved recreational spots in North America. McBride took a hand at characterizing the recreational qualities of the Yellowstone River by seeking an understanding of recreationists’ attachment to place, defining concepts of a special recreation area, and learning more about recreationists using the upper Yellowstone River. She used a quantitative survey, which was completed by 307 individuals. The survey looked at each individual’s recreation activities, satisfaction levels, attachment to place and level of concern regarding growth along the upper Yellowstone River. Analysis consisted of reporting means and frequencies of activities, satisfaction levels and demographics.

Results show that recreationists participate in a variety of activities and are very satisfied with their recreation experience. Place attachment depends on two factors: place identity and place dependence. The place identity dimension was stronger than place dependence among recreationists, indicating a strong emotional attachment to the River. Megan's study revealed not only the multi-dimensional nature of what makes a place special, but also the concern among recreationists in terms of development. In effect, individuals’ emotional connections to the watershed are changing because of increasing development along the banks of the upper Yellowstone River. She concludes that development and its effects on recreationists' attachment to place should be further studied.

A Montana Drought Update

Photo: Molly Boucher

Prepared by the Governor’s Drought Advisory Committee, the report notes that recovery in areas hit hardest by drought over the last five years might take longer than areas less impacted over that period of time. Almost all on the committee agree that the rate of improvement is certainly exceeding the committee’s best hopes back in March when the National Weather Service announced that precipitation for February set a new statewide record low for that month.

Some parts of the state, like the North central region, had precipitation for the month of May of only 50 percent of average. But according to the National Weather Service, places like Cut Bank received 492 percent of average precipitation for the period June 1-14, changing conditions dramatically on the state’s Northern tier. Cooler than normal temperatures have played an important role in allowing moisture to work its way into dry soils. The committee’s Drought Status Map for June 16 indicates that 39 counties are in the Slightly Dry category, up from May 19, when the committee rated only eleven counties in that category.
[Map at: http://nris.state.mt.us/Drought/status/]

Although reports of localized flooding have been common in recent weeks, the committee stopped short of declaring the drought dead. Long-term indicators of drought continue to indicate that drought persists in parts of the state, including the Surface Water Supply Index issued by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). As of June 1, 2005, 10 of the state's 50 river basins were ranked as extremely dry, compared with the May 1 SWSI Map, when 35 basins were so ranked. Twenty-three other river basins were rated as Moderately Dry by NRCS.

For more information on drought and water conservation visit http://drought.mt.gov/.

So Long Cal, Hello Ben

Robert Glennon Speaking at Montana AWRA; Abstracts Due Soon

For more information on the Montana Section AWRA meeting “Surface Water/Ground Water: One Resource,” go to http://awra.org/state/montana/events/conference.htm. Paper and poster abstracts are due on July 14, 2005.

MWCC Stewardship Award Photos

EPA Watershed Academy Webcast

Facts about Water and the Environment, and Drought

Water and the Environment:

• Water has the pivotal role in mediating global ecosystem processes, linking together the atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere by moving substances between them and enabling chemical reactions to take place. Not only is it essential for maintaining living organisms, but its physical properties allow it to be used by humans for energy generation, transport and waste disposal, and in a variety of industrial processes.
• Drinkable water is becoming increasingly scarce. By the year 2025, it is predicted that water abstraction will increase by 50% in developing countries and 18% in developed countries, as population growth and development drive up water demand. Effects on the world’s ecosystems have the potential to dramatically worsen the present situation, and current assessments suggest that existing practices are not adequate to avert this.
• Around 50% of the world’s wetlands present in 1900 had been lost by the late 1990s, with conversion of land to agriculture being the main cause of loss.• Around 50% of the world’s wetlands present in 1900 had been lost by the late 1990s, with conversion of land to agriculture being the main cause of loss.
• 60% of the world’s 227 largest rivers are strongly to moderately fragmented by dams, diversions and canals, and a high rate of dam construction in the developing world threatens the integrity of remaining free-flowing rivers.

Drought:

• Droughts have been categorized in three ways: as meteorological (due to a lack of precipitation), hydrological (lack of water in streams and aquifers) or agricultural (when conditions are unable to sustain agricultural and livestock production). The concept of what constitutes a drought varies from country to country. In England, three weeks without rain is considered a problem; in many parts of the world much longer dry periods are normal.
• Droughts are undoubtedly the most far-reaching of all natural disasters. From 1991 to 2000 alone, drought has been responsible for over 280,000 deaths and has cost tens of millions of US dollars in damage.
• Durations and extents of droughts vary greatly. Examples of severe, persistent droughts over large geographical areas include those in the Sahel, covering 7.3 million km2, from 1970 to 1988; continental Europe covering 9 million km2, from 1988 to 1992; and India covering 3 million km2, from 1965 to 1967.
• The Zimbabwe drought of the early 1990s was associated with an 11% decline in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a 60% decline in the stock market; more recent floods in Mozambique led to a 23% reduction in GDP, while the 2000 drought in Brazil led to a halving of projected economic growth. Even in developed countries, an extreme drought may cause considerable disturbances in terms of environmental, economic and social losses. The 1988 drought in the United States may have caused direct agricultural losses totaling US$13 billion.

So many meetings, so little time. Even so, there are a few that water folks just shouldn't miss! Take special note of the newly announced Western Wetlands Conference slated for Denver in October 2005. Find more information on these and other upcoming events on the Events Calendar at MONTANA WATER.