Part of a series of articles titled Water Resources Monitoring in the Bighorn River near Fort Smith, Montana.
Article
Water Quality Criteria for the Bighorn River near Fort Smith, Montana, and Additional Water Quality Information Links
Water Quality Criteria
The Bighorn River within the state of Montana has been classified as B-1 using the Montana Water Classification System. A B-1 water body is one that is suitable for drinking (after conventional treatment); full contact recreation; growth and propagation of salmonid fishes and associated aquatic life, waterfowl, and furbearers; and agricultural and industrial water supply. Bighorn Lake has been classified as a C-3 water, which is suitable for all uses except drinking water; the C-3 designation indicates support of warm water fish.
The Bighorn River water quality monitoring results are compared to the following federal and state water quality standards.
EPA National Recommended Water Quality Criteria
Montana Numeric Water Quality Standards – MT DEQ Circular DEQ-7 (June 2019)
Additional Links
USGS Bighorn River near Fort Smith, Montana, Gage data (USGS Gage 06287000)
USBOR Hydromet data launch page for continuous water quality below afterbay dam
Last updated: June 25, 2021