DEQ to Host Gallatin River Project Open House on July 29 in Big Sky
Department of Environmental Quality
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) invites the public to an open house to share updates on a multi-year water quality study for the middle segment of the Gallatin River, from Yellowstone National Park to Spanish Creek.
The public meeting will occur on Tuesday, July 29, from 5 pm to 7 pm at Big Sky Center for the Arts located at 77 Lone Peak Drive in Big Sky. DEQ, Gallatin River Task Force, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and Montana State University will have staff available to answer questions about studies and the ways DEQ and the community can contribute to a healthier Gallatin River.
“We’re excited to celebrate the progress of DEQ's study and our partners' work on the Gallatin River,” Andy Ulven, Water Quality Planning Bureau Chief at DEQ said. “As we complete year three of data collection efforts this summer, DEQ would like to thank the other agencies and community partners who have invested significant resources and contributed to its success.”
In 2023, DEQ determined the river should be listed as impaired for excessive algal growth. The impairment listing triggered a six-year study to culminate in the development of total maximum daily loads (TMDL). A TMDL defines the amount of a certain pollutant a waterbody can hold before it impacts water quality and no longer meets beneficial uses such as agriculture, recreation and support of aquatic life. Upon completion of the study and a nutrient-algae model, DEQ will establish thresholds for the pollutants that control algal growth. DEQ will work with local stakeholders to outline a plan to protect or improve water quality.
DEQ suggests the following best practices for individuals, communities, and developers to protect the Gallatin River:
- Protect and restore a minimum 35-foot native plant buffer along streambanks.
- Prevent soil erosion by avoiding trampling of streamside vegetation while recreating.
- Schedule septic maintenance every 3 to 5 years and upgrade failing septic systems.
- Limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
- Pick up after your pets.
Visit DEQ’s website for more information about the upcoming meeting about the Gallatin River Project: https://deq.mt.gov/News/publicmeetings-folder/gallatin-river-06-30-2025
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