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Big Hole Drought Update – August 27, 2007
A fishing closure remains in effect for the entire Big Hole River due to low flow. A fishing closure was instituted for the entire Big Hole River on August 17 due to steadily declining flows, unmitigated heat, dry conditions, and a discouraging weather forecast. Thankfully, weather conditions took a turn for the better, with cool nights and spotty rain, bringing flows up and water temperatures down.
Rock Creek Road to Mouth of the North Fork (measured USGS. Wisdom Gauge) – Current flows are 8.5 cfs at the Wisdom gauge-35 percent of median for this gauge based on 19 years of data. Except for four hours on August 24, water temperatures have remained below 70°F over the past week. A fishing closure remains in place for this 19-mile reach until flows exceed 40 cfs for seven consecutive days at this gauge.
Mouth of North Fork to Dickie Bridge (measured at USGS Mudd Creek Gauge) – Flows are currently 47 cfs. A fishing closure will remain in effect on this reach until flows exceed 80 cfs for seven consecutive days. Temperature data - measured at Sportsman’s Park Thermograph - is not available from FWP at the time of this report. Thermal data will be provided in next week’s report.
Flows: Dickie Bridge to Melrose Bridge (measured at USGS Melrose Bridge Gauge) - Flows are currently 150 cfs. On August 19, a flash storm dumped over one inch of rain at Melrose, producing a sharp but brief spike in the hydrograph. Under the drought plan, this reach will remain closed to fishing until flows exceed 200 cfs for seven consecutive days. Water temperatures are moderating. The highest temperature in the past week was 66°F which lasted nearly two hours on August 26.
Flows: Melrose Bridge to confluence with the Jefferson River (measured at USGS Glen Gauge) - Current flows at the Glen Gauge are 168 cfs. A steady increase in flows began last week and were helped significantly as a result of last week’s rain. Flows are holding steady. A fishing restriction will remain in place until flows exceed 200 cfs for seven consecutive days. Temperatures at this gauge typically reflect those at Melrose gauge. Thermal data will be provided in next flow report.
For Information Contact: Randy Smith, BHWC Chairman 406-835-3451 Noorjahan Parwana, Director 406-782-3682 nparwana@bhwc.org
Other Contacts: Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Dillon office – 406-683-9310
Internet Resources Drought Report - http://www.nris.state.mt.us/drought USGS Real Time Flow Data - http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow
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