Jefferson River

A new report indicates the Jefferson River basin might be in trouble. The nonprofits behind the study hope it will spur change.

Widespread algae blooms are emerging across southwest Montana’s waterways. And, Fishing restrictions hit Southwest Montana.

State biologists have been tagging trout across southwest Montana to better understand the population’s health after years of declines. They report encouraging signs, but populations are still below average due in large part to an extended drought.

Montana Trout Unlimited and the owner of a gold mine near Whitehall announced a joint project to improve spawning habitat and provide cool water for trout in the Jefferson River Basin.

The first rivers in Montana have been closed to fishing due to hot dry weather.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks biologists say historically low water levels and hot temperatures may severely impact cold-water fish in the region.

Bitterroot National Forest raised its fire danger to high this week. Montana wildlife officials restrict afternoon fishing on three rivers in southwest Montana.

Montana wildlife officials will begin studies this year to get to the bottom of a historic trout population crash in the Jefferson Basin. Montana wildlife officials have also created a new web portal for residents to submit reports of dead and diseased fish.

A group of former elected officials and citizens are suing the state over a new law that raises the threshold for ballot initiatives to go before voters, saying it's unconstitutional. A portion of the Jefferson River in Three Forks has been closed to recreationists due to safety concerns.

Consistent and mostly above normal precipitation and snowpack means the statewide water supply outlook is either maintaining or improving across most of the state.