John La Fave, Montan Bureau of Mines and Geology, provides a groundwater summary for 2012 and water outlook for 2013 at the Clark Fork River Basin Water Summary 2012 & Water Outlook 2013 on October 23, 2012.

1. Groundwater Data
To Inform the Clark Fork Plan
John LaFave
Ground Water Assessment Program
MT Bureau of Mines and Geology
“The science of hydrology
would be relatively simple if
water were unable to penetrate
below the earth’s surface.”
Clark Fork Task Force
October 23, 2012

2. Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
a department of Montana Tech
• Established in 1919 to provide reliable and
unbiased earth science information
• Non regulatory, applied research
– Geologic Mapping
– Earthquake Studies
– Small Miners
– Environmental Assessment
– Ground Water
• Web: http://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/

3. Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
a department of Montana Tech
• Established in 1919 to provide reliable and
unbiased earth science information
• Non regulatory, applied research
– Geologic Mapping
– Earthquake Studies
– Small Miners
– Environmental Assessment
– Ground Water
• Web: http://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/

4. Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
a department of Montana Tech
• Established in 1919 to provide reliable and
unbiased earth science information
• Non regulatory, applied research
– Geologic Mapping
– Earthquake Studies
– Small Miners
– Environmental Assessment
– Ground Water
• Web: http://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/

5. Montana Ground Water Assessment
Program
“…systematically assess and monitor the state’s
ground water and to disseminate the information…”
85-2-902(2) MCA
• Ground-Water Characterization
– systematic data collection and interpretation.
• Ground-Water Monitoring
– long term records of water levels and quality.
• Ground-Water Information Center
– data dissemination.
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Montana Ground-Water Assessment Program

6. Ground Water Characterization
28 Areas
Scheduled
Field work
Complete
Field work
Complete
Field work
Field work Complete
Complete
Field work
Complete
Field work
Complete
Field work
starting
Field work Field work
Wrapping up Complete
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Montana Ground-Water Assessment Program

7. Ground Water Characterization
Main product -- the data
More than:
~ 3,000 inventories
~ 900 full analyses
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Montana Ground-Water Assessment Program

8. Ground Water Characterization
24 maps, 5 reports
Groundwater Quality Maps
Reports
Geologic Framework Maps
Groundwater Flow Maps
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Montana Ground-Water Assessment Program

9. Ground Water Monitoring
215 wells in the State-Wide Network
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Montana Ground-Water Assessment Program

10. Ground Water Information Center
mbmggwic.mtech.edu
Products:
Well Logs Water Quality Hydrographs Maps & Repts Project data
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Montana Ground-Water Assessment Program

11. Ground Water Information Center
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Montana Ground-Water Assessment Program

12. Montana Ground Water
Investigation Program
“…gather data, compile existing information, conduct field
studies, and prepare a detailed hydrogeologic assessment
report …and a hydrogeologic model… ”
85-2-525 (1) MCA
• Investigates critical and specific groundwater questions
• Results provide scientific basis for water-management
– Stream depletion related to groundwater development
– Impacts to aquifers: increasing demand; changing land use
– Protection of senior water rights (groundwater and surface water)
– Water quality impacts such as septic effluent
– Cumulative effects of water development
– Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) in Montana
– Any Other Subjects that may be identified
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Montana Ground-Water Investigation Program

13. Ground Water Investigation Program
Ongoing and proposed (unscheduled) projects
Flathead Valley - Recharge/discharge relationships and
long-term sustainability of the deep aquifer.
Florence – Depletion rates and timing from
groundwater development in Eightmile and
Threemile drainages
Florence – Eightmile Creek
Stevensville-
Conversion of surface
To groundwater
Hamilton-
Conversion of
Irrigated ag land
to residential
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Montana Ground-Water Assessment Program

14. Contact Information:
Ground-Water Information Center:
http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu/
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology:
http://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/
John LaFave
496-4306
jlafave@mtech.edu
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Montana Ground-Water Assessment Program