Gallatin Stream Teams

Gallatin Stream Teams is a volunteer stream monitoring program operated in partnership between the Gallatin Local Water Quality District and GWC. Since 2008, citizen scientists have been testing water quality on streams across the Lower Gallatin watershed. Stream Teams data are being used by GLWQD, GWC, Montana DEQ, the City of Bozeman, and others to assess the health of the watershed.

To view local surface water data collected by Gallatin Stream Teams, and citizen science data collected statewide, please use the links below.

How to Volunteer:

Participating in Stream Teams is a great way to learn about water quality data, get involved in your community, gain technical skills, and get outside! Stream Team activities include collecting water samples for lab analysis, measuring stream discharge using a flow meter, and taking in-stream measurements of pH, specific conductivity, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen using an electronic meter. No prior experience is necessary to be a volunteer.

For all volunteers, we host a mandatory training session in June. The minimum commitment to be a 2024 volunteer will be two shifts (although we encourage you to sign up for more shifts).  Shifts range from a half-day (4 hours) to a full day (8 hours) and will be Monday-Thursday in the last week of each month. Volunteers add invaluable capacity to Gallatin Local Water Quality District and Gallatin Watershed Council fieldwork and need to fully commit to assigned dates and times.

There are physical ability requirements for the safety of volunteers and staff members due to field conditions. Please review the Surface Water Monitoring position description to self-assess if you can safely volunteer in our local rivers and streams. There is a Recreational Waters Monitoring opportunity for volunteers to sample water from ponds and parks around Gallatin County. This is a much less rigorous activity and requires less physical exertion.

Please submit the 2024 sign up form to participate in this year’s sampling season (June 2024 - October 2024). Please note that slots are limited!