Funded Groups

Big Hole River Foundation is conducting long-term water quality monitoring of the Big Hole River. This is their fifth year of funding with MMW. Thanks to MMW support in both lab analysis and technical expertise, BHRF now monitors nutrients at 10 sites along 150 miles of river.

The Clearwater Resource Council (CRC) facilitates efforts to enhance, conserve, sustain, and protect the aquatic resources of the Clearwater Valley. The 2025 field season represents CRC's 17th year of lake monitoring. Funding assistance from MMW in 2025 is supporting the analysis of multiple parameters in seven lakes and expanding to three streams in the Clearwater Basin.

Flathead Rivers Alliance was formed in 2019 to support and enhance the Three Forks of the Flathead River. In 2025, FRA will continue collecting nutrient samples from throughout the Three Forks with the support of MMW.

Kootenai Watershed Allies formed in 2022 and is continuing monitoring efforts in 2025. This group is focused on monitoring Selenium and nutrients on tributaries of the Kootenai River and Koocanusa Reservoir. MMW is supporting the group by providing laboratory funding for the parameters being measured.

MMW is Supporting Rock Creek Watershed Group and the Carbon County Resource Council in their efforts to monitor the Rock Creek watershed. The group is collecting baseline data to understand the effects of increased development and agriculture use on the water quality of the stream. Funding in 2025 is supporting the costs of laboratory analyses.

Central Montana Resource Council is a community organization of concerned citizens who are dedicated to the sustainability of water, land, and food productions for future generations. The group will continue monitoring Ross Fork Creek, a tributary of Judith River in central Montana with laboratory and gear funding from MMW.

The Thompson Chain of Lakes Coalition is in its second summer of monitoring 3 of the 18 lakes in the Thompson Chain of Lakes thanks to funding received from MMW. The group is excited to collect baseline nutrient data for these vulnerable spring fed kettle lakes.

Bitterroot Protection Association’s Mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the water quality and quantity in the Bitterroot River Watershed. As a part of that effort, they are the lead organization in a community-based water quality monitoring cooperative. Funding from MMW in 2025 is supporting the continued monitoring efforts that are part of their Sapphire Front project.

MMW is supporting the efforts of the Flathead Lakers who are continuing sampling efforts for the yearly swim guide. This work ensures that recreation opportunities are safe for everyone. Funding will support laboratory analyses of water quality samples collected at swimming beaches around Flathead Lake.

The Missoula Valley Water Quality District works with a group of volunteers to monitor the water quality of tributaries near Missoula. Past efforts have been directed at streams that were identified as impaired. Funding from MMW in 2025 is allowing the group to gather more water quality data.

The Yaak Valley Forest Council has continued to be funded by MMW in 2025 to continue implementing a water quality monitoring program across 23 sites. This program addresses several threats to regional waterways: increased development, a rise in didymo and algae blooms, selenium runoff, and the overarching threats of climate change. The group’s aim is to collect baseline data on various water quality parameters in the Yaak.

Residents living near Whitefish River are working to establish a long-term water quality monitoring program with support from MMW. The team will continue to evaluate current nutrient and other water quality conditions in a section of the Whitefish River to establish a baseline for future comparisons and trend analysis.

The Mission Bay Preserve HOA is concerned about the water quality in the Casting Pond and will be monitoring nutrient levels again in 2025. The 3-acre pond is fed by the Flathead Irrigation System. The pond is about 300 yards from Flathead Lake, and any overflow is discharged through a natural riparian area.

Officially formed in 2010 by local grassroots volunteers with a passion for ensuring the Stillwater Valley remain a pristine watershed, the SVWC aims to maintain the rural quality of life for those who have been lucky enough to have discovered its beauty and benefit to the soul. MMW will be providing support for Stillwater Valley Watershed Council’s year-round water quality monitoring efforts for a second season.

Big Hole River Foundation is conducting long-term water quality monitoring of the Big Hole River. This is their fourth year of funding with MMW. Thanks to MMW support in both lab analysis and technical expertise, BHRF now monitors nutrients and sediment at 10 sites along 150 miles of river.

The Clearwater Resource Council (CRC) facilitates efforts to enhance, conserve, sustain, and protect the aquatic resources of the Clearwater Valley. In 2008 CRC initiated community-based lake monitoring and in 2013 they began facilitating stream monitoring in collaboration with the Southwest Crown Collaborative. Funding assistance from MMW in 2024 is supporting and expanding the analysis of multiple parameters in lakes from the Clearwater Basin.

Flathead Rivers Alliance was formed in 2019 to support and enhance the Three Forks of the Flathead River. In 2024, FRA will continue collecting nutrient samples from throughout the Three Forks with the support of MMW.

Kootenai Watershed Allies formed in 2022 and is continuing monitoring efforts in 2024. This group is focused on monitoring Selenium and nutrients on tributaries of the Kootenai River and Koocanusa Reservoir. MMW is supporting the group by providing laboratory funding for the parameters being measured.

MMW is Supporting Rock Creek Watershed Group and the Carbon County Resource Council in their efforts to monitor the Rock Creek watershed. The group is collecting baseline data to understand the effects of increased development and agriculture use on the water quality of the stream. Funding in 2024 is supporting the costs of laboratory analyses.

Central Montana Resource Council is a community organization of concerned citizens who are dedicated to the sustainability of water, land, and food productions for future generations. The group will be monitoring Ross Fork Creek, a tributary of Judith River in central Montana with laboratory and gear funding from MMW.

The Thompson Chain of Lakes Coalition is in its first summer of monitoring 3 of the 18 lakes in the Thompson Chain of Lakes thanks to funding received from MMW. The group is excited to collect baseline nutrient data for these vulnerable spring fed kettle lakes.

Clarks Fork Yellowstone Partnership is a community directed organization for the Clarks Fork River and Rock Creek. Their mission is to preserve and promote stream function and ecology to ensure optimal water use for agricultural, domestic and recreational needs. MMW is providing gear funding for the group.

Bitterroot Protection Association’s Mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the water quality and quantity in the Bitterroot River Watershed. As a part of that effort, they are the lead organization in a community-based water quality monitoring cooperative. Funding from MMW in 2024 is supporting the continued monitoring efforts that are part of their Sapphire Front project.

MMW is supporting the efforts of the Flathead Lakers who are continuing sampling efforts for the yearly swim guide. This work ensures that recreation opportunities are safe for everyone. Funding will support laboratory analyses of water quality samples collected at swimming beaches around Flathead Lake.

The Missoula Valley Water Quality District works with a group of volunteers to monitor the water quality of tributaries near Missoula. Past efforts have been directed at streams that were identified as impaired. Funding from MMW in 2024 is allowing the group to gather more water quality data.

The Yaak Valley Forest Council has continued to be funded by MMW in 2024 to continue implementing a water quality monitoring program. This program addresses several threats to regional waterways: increased development, a rise in didymo and algae blooms, selenium runoff, and the overarching threats of climate change. The group’s aim is to collect baseline data on various water quality parameters in the Yaak.

Residents living near Whitefish River are working to establish a long-term water quality monitoring program with support from MMW. The team will evaluate current nutrient and other water quality conditions in a section of the Whitefish River to establish a baseline for future comparisons and trend analysis.

The Mission Bay Preserve HOA is concerned about the water quality in the Casting Pond and will be monitoring nutrient levels in 2024. The 3-acre pond is fed by the Flathead Irrigation System. The pond is about 300 yards from Flathead Lake, and any overflow is discharged through a natural riparian area.

Officially formed in 2010 by local grassroots volunteers with a passion for ensuring the Stillwater Valley remain a pristine watershed, the SVWC aims to maintain the rural quality of life for those who have been lucky enough to have discovered its beauty and benefit to the soul. MMW will be providing support for Stillwater Valley Watershed Council’s year-round water quality monitoring efforts.

Big Hole River Foundation is conducting long-term water quality monitoring of the Big Hole River. This is their 3rd year of funding with MMW. In 2023 we are supporting half of all the laboratory analyses of water samples collected by BHRF and helped BHRF expand their monitoring efforts to include new analytes.

The Clearwater Resource Council (CRC) facilitates efforts to enhance, conserve, sustain, and protect the aquatic resources of the Clearwater Valley. In 2008 CRC initiated community-based lake monitoring and in 2013 they began facilitating stream monitoring in collaboration with the Southwest Crown Collaborative. Funding assistance from MMW in 2023 is supporting and expanding the analysis of multiple parameters in streams and lakes from the Clearwater Basin.

MMW is supporting the efforts of the Flathead Lakers who are continuing sampling efforts for the yearly swim guide. This work ensures that recreation opportunities are safe for everyone. Funding will support laboratory analyses of water quality samples collected at swimming beaches around Flathead Lake.

Little Bitterroot Lake Association received funding in 2023 for a DO/Temperature meter in order to collect more data around The Little Bitterroot Lake, and understand the effects of eutrophication on the lake.

MMW is Supporting Rock Creek Watershed Group and the Carbon County Resource Council in their efforts to monitor the Rock Creek watershed. The group is collecting baseline data to understand the effects of increased development and agriculture use on the water quality of the stream. 2023 funding is supporting the costs of laboratory analyses.

Bitterroot Protection Association’s Mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the water quality and quantity in the Bitterroot River Watershed. As a part of that effort, they are the lead organization in a community-based water quality monitoring cooperative. Funding from MMW in 2023 is supporting the continued monitoring efforts that are part of their Sapphire Front project.

Kootenai Watershed Allies formed in 2022 and is continuing monitoring efforts in 2023. This group is focused on monitoring Selenium and nutrients on tributaries of the Kootenai River and Koocanusa Reservoir. MMW is supporting the group by providing laboratory funding for the parameters being measured.

Flathead Rivers Alliance was formed in 2019 to support and enhance the Three Forks of the Flathead River. FRA is newly funded by MMW in 2023 and they will be collecting nutrient samples from throughout the Three Forks.

The Missoula Valley Water Quality District works with a group of volunteers to monitor the water quality of tributaries near Missoula. Past efforts have been directed at streams that were identified as impaired. Funding from MMW in 2023 is allowing the group to gather more water quality data.

The Yaak Valley Forest Council has continued to be funded by MMW in 2023 to continue implementing a water quality monitoring program. This program addresses several threats to regional waterways: increased development, a rise in didymo and algae blooms, selenium runoff, and the overarching threats of climate change. The group’s aim is to collect baseline data on various water quality parameters in the Yaak.

The Clearwater Resource Council (CRC) facilitates efforts to enhance, conserve, sustain, and protect the aquatic resources of the Clearwater Valley for present and future generations. In 2008 CRC initiated community-based lake monitoring and in 2013 they began facilitating stream monitoring in collaboration with the Southwest Crown Collaborative. Funding assistance from MMW in 2022 is supporting and expanding the analysis of multiple parameters in streams and lakes of the Clearwater Basin.

Visit the CRC website

Kootenai Watershed Allies is a newly formed group in 2022. This group is focused on monitoring Selenium and nutrients on tributaries of the Kootenai River and Lake Koocanusa. MMW is supporting the group by providing laboratory funding for the parameters being measured.

See a Story Map about monitoring in the Kootenai Watershed

The Bitterroot Water Forum is a non profit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and restoring the Bitterroot Watershed. In 2022 the organization is supplementing previous monitoring efforts on Skalkaho Creek. MMW is providing gear funding for the group to collect temperature and flow measurements throughout the creek.

View a BWF storymap

The Missoula Valley Water Quality District works with a group of volunteers to monitor the water quality of tributaries near Missoula. Past efforts have been directed at streams that were identified as impaired. Funding from MMW in 2022 is allowing the group to gather more baseline water quality data.

Visit the Missoula Valley Water Quality District website

MMW is supporting the newly formed Rock Creek Watershed Group and the Carbon County Resource Council in their efforts in monitoring the Rock Creek watershed. The groups are interested in collecting baseline data to understand how increasing development and agriculture use are impacting the water quality of the stream. 2022 funding is supporting the costs of laboratory analysis for the groups.

View the RCWG/CCRC storymap

The Yaak Valley Forest Council has been funded by MMW in 2022 to continue implementing a water quality monitoring program. This program addresses several threats to regional waterways including: increased home building, a rise in didymo and algae blooms over the last two decades, and the overarching and compounding threat of climate change. The group's aim is to collect baseline data on various water quality parameters in the Yaak Valley watershed.

View the WVFC website

Students in Action is a group of volunteers from the Seeley-Swan high school who plan to monitor water quality in Morrell Creek. The group will collect data to understand how population growth and increased septic tank density impacts the water quality at the site.11 years of water quality data has been recorded at Morrell Creek. Laboratory funding from MMW in 2022 will support the efforts of the SIA to continue monitoring efforts at this location.

View a storymap about SIA

One of the Big Hole River Foundation's goals is to conduct long-term water quality monitoring on the Big Hole River. 2021 funding from MMW is supporting half of all the laboratory analyses of water samples collected by the BHRF and helped them expand monitoring efforts to add two new sampling sites this year. 

View a Story Map about Monitoring on the Big Hole

Established in 1995, the Big Hole Watershed Committee is a watershed group dedicated to the conservation of the Big Hole River and surrounding watershed. One of their monitoring efforts includes water quality sampling for the Elkhorn Mine & Mill Restoration Project. MMW is supporting BHWC in 2021 by providing gear funding.

Visit the BHWC website

Bitterroot River Protection Association’s (BRPA) mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the water quality and quantity in the entire Bitterroot River Watershed. As part of that effort, they are the lead organization in a community-based water quality monitoring cooperative. Funding from MMW in 2021 is supporting monitoring efforts that are part of their Sapphire Front Project.

Visit the BRPA website

The Clearwater Resource Council (CRC) facilitates efforts to enhance, conserve, sustain, and protect the aquatic resources of the Clearwater Valley for present and future generations. In 2008 CRC initiated community-based lake monitoring and in 2013 they began facilitating stream monitoring in collaboration with the Southwest Crown Collaborative. Funding assistance from MMW in 2021 is supporting the analysis of multiple parameters in streams and lakes of the Clearwater Basin and also assisted with the purchase of a new sonde.

Visit the CRC website