Montana Biological Survey

06/18/2026

MT Biological Survey processed 54 McNeil core samples from the Missouri and Marias Rivers taken in April and May (a total dry weight of >1400 lbs. of sediment was sieved, fractionized and weighed) and is moving forward on summer projects. Long-running projects: Tintina BBC, Northwestern Energy and Clark Fork River, as well as a new Baseline Sentinel Metals exploration project near Helena over in Lincoln. MBS understands the controversial legacy of mining in MT; we see it all around us (see Seven-Up Pete Mine photos). We strive to collect rigorous baseline aquatic community data to enable comparisons to future conditions should projects move forward. See you out there.....

04/27/2026

MBS folks were out on the Missouri River the last few weeks taking McNeil sediment cores (to estimate rainbow trout redd egg survival) from Holter Dam downstream to Pelican Point and on to Cascade. Nice to have an early field project with the springtime weather. Marias River next up in about a week......

04/02/2026

Hi All, WetFly Swing just released a podcast that Josh and I did back in February concerning the Missouri River research and work of the Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance , check it out if you have a chance, Cheers, Dave

Discover how the Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance uses science and partnerships to protect river health and sustain world-class fishing.

08/19/2025

With the big part of field season behind us, I can think back to the fun times had with the field crews this year (2025) and through the years (2021), the classic Album Cover shot on an undisclosed, decommissioned bridge over a "used to be" secret stream.

06/11/2025

06/11/2025

MBS was off doing some field stuff in Idaho mining country last week (east of Soda Springs--they have a geyser in town, really!!), got a couple new species for me (Utah and Mountain Suckers, speckled dace), and the usual brook trout, redside shiners and a bonus Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in our study streams, still so green out!!

05/10/2025

MBS is happy to be a small sponsor of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society's meeting in Michigan next week. Loved my time at the MI Natural Heritage Program and surveying their diverse mussel species.

03/22/2025

Happy World water day 🙂 Clean Freshwater is Vital.....as are the critters we like to see swimming and inhabiting them......

01/30/2025

MT Chapter AFS meeting coming up in Bozeman, we'll be presenting our decadal trend analysis of Montana's western pearlshell mussel populations from 2014 to 2024..

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01/30/2025

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