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Hydrologic Monitoring on the Fort Peck Reservation, Montana

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By Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center January 18, 2022

Retrieving Groundwater-Level Data

from USGS site 481357104475701

View Site Data

Water levels have been known to fluctuate with train passings

at USGS site 480728105243901

View Site Data

Cooperative efforts with members of the Fort Peck Tribes play a crucial role in data collection

The Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes seek an increased scientific understanding of the water resources within the Fort Peck Reservation of northeastern Montana. Hydrologic information is needed to make informed water management decisions, including the monitoring of instream flows established in the Fort Peck Indian Reservation Water Rights Compact with the State of Montana. The Fort Peck Reservation and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have a history of cooperating to monitor and assess the water resources within the reservation, beginning in 1978 with the installation of a streamgage on Big Muddy Creek near Antelope, Montana. The current cooperative hydrologic monitoring program between the Fort Peck Tribes Water Resources Office (FPWRO) and USGS includes continuous monitoring of 4 streamgages and 8 groundwater wells. Data collection is a collaborative effort between FPWRO and USGS staff who share in the effort, often working side-by-side.

Click here to view our data
Transducer Installation
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Transducers are used to measure continuous water levels.
preparing for integrity test with Heath Caldwell
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Testing a well to ensure it correctly monitors water levels.
Groundwater-level data retrieval with Thomas Bauer
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Retrieving groundwater-level data.

Below are projects associated with this project.

link
Location of Study Area (Includes Flaxville Aquifer and Lustre Oil Fields) and Sampling Sites From Previous USGS Studies

Flaxville Aquifer

The Flaxville aquifer is present in the northern and central parts of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and consists of sand and gravel that forms extensive plateaus and topographic benches used for dryland farming. Because many residents rely on groundwater as their primary water supply on the Reservation, the Flaxville and underlying aquifers are important sources of groundwater. The goal of this...
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
link

Flaxville Aquifer

The Flaxville aquifer is present in the northern and central parts of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and consists of sand and gravel that forms extensive plateaus and topographic benches used for dryland farming. Because many residents rely on groundwater as their primary water supply on the Reservation, the Flaxville and underlying aquifers are important sources of groundwater. The goal of this...
Learn More
link
East Poplar oil well

Delineation of Brine Contamination in and near the East Poplar Oil Field, Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Northeastern Montana

Brine is a byproduct of crude oil production. Handling and disposal of brine during the last 50 years in the East Poplar oil field has resulted in contamination of not only the shallow Quaternary aquifers, but also the Poplar River. Previous investigations have documented and partially delineated the extent of brine contamination in the East Poplar oil field during the early 1990s. In the 10 years...
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
link

Delineation of Brine Contamination in and near the East Poplar Oil Field, Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Northeastern Montana

Brine is a byproduct of crude oil production. Handling and disposal of brine during the last 50 years in the East Poplar oil field has resulted in contamination of not only the shallow Quaternary aquifers, but also the Poplar River. Previous investigations have documented and partially delineated the extent of brine contamination in the East Poplar oil field during the early 1990s. In the 10 years...
Learn More

Below are partners associated with this project.

Fort Peck Tribes Water Resources Office

The Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes seek an increased scientific understanding of the water resources within the Fort Peck Reservation of northeastern Montana. Hydrologic information is needed to make informed water management decisions, including the monitoring of instream flows established in the Fort Peck Indian Reservation Water Rights Compact with the State of Montana. The Fort Peck Reservation and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have a history of cooperating to monitor and assess the water resources within the reservation, beginning in 1978 with the installation of a streamgage on Big Muddy Creek near Antelope, Montana. The current cooperative hydrologic monitoring program between the Fort Peck Tribes Water Resources Office (FPWRO) and USGS includes continuous monitoring of 4 streamgages and 8 groundwater wells. Data collection is a collaborative effort between FPWRO and USGS staff who share in the effort, often working side-by-side.

Click here to view our data
Transducer Installation
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Transducers are used to measure continuous water levels.
preparing for integrity test with Heath Caldwell
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Testing a well to ensure it correctly monitors water levels.
Groundwater-level data retrieval with Thomas Bauer
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Retrieving groundwater-level data.

Below are projects associated with this project.

link
Location of Study Area (Includes Flaxville Aquifer and Lustre Oil Fields) and Sampling Sites From Previous USGS Studies

Flaxville Aquifer

The Flaxville aquifer is present in the northern and central parts of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and consists of sand and gravel that forms extensive plateaus and topographic benches used for dryland farming. Because many residents rely on groundwater as their primary water supply on the Reservation, the Flaxville and underlying aquifers are important sources of groundwater. The goal of this...
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
link

Flaxville Aquifer

The Flaxville aquifer is present in the northern and central parts of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and consists of sand and gravel that forms extensive plateaus and topographic benches used for dryland farming. Because many residents rely on groundwater as their primary water supply on the Reservation, the Flaxville and underlying aquifers are important sources of groundwater. The goal of this...
Learn More
link
East Poplar oil well

Delineation of Brine Contamination in and near the East Poplar Oil Field, Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Northeastern Montana

Brine is a byproduct of crude oil production. Handling and disposal of brine during the last 50 years in the East Poplar oil field has resulted in contamination of not only the shallow Quaternary aquifers, but also the Poplar River. Previous investigations have documented and partially delineated the extent of brine contamination in the East Poplar oil field during the early 1990s. In the 10 years...
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
link

Delineation of Brine Contamination in and near the East Poplar Oil Field, Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Northeastern Montana

Brine is a byproduct of crude oil production. Handling and disposal of brine during the last 50 years in the East Poplar oil field has resulted in contamination of not only the shallow Quaternary aquifers, but also the Poplar River. Previous investigations have documented and partially delineated the extent of brine contamination in the East Poplar oil field during the early 1990s. In the 10 years...
Learn More

Below are partners associated with this project.

Fort Peck Tribes Water Resources Office