Water

DEQ collaborates with the Montana Wetland Council to develop and help implement the state wetland plan. The Montana Wetland Council is an active network of diverse interest that works cooperatively to conserve and restore Montana's wetlands and riparian ecosystems.

As part of its Strategic Framework, the Wetland Council offers public education and professional training and offers assistance to local governments through planning and growth management tools that help to protect wetlands and riparian areas.

The Montana Wetland Council also supports the completion, maintenance, and dissemination of statewide digital wetland and riparian information though its mapping, assessment, and monitoring program. Additional strategic directions of the Montana Wetland Council entail planning and policy assistance to local, state, tribal, and federal governments and the contribution to better understand the effects of energy development, limited water resources, and invasive aquatic species on vulnerable and impacted wetlands.

To receive Montana Wetland Council newsletters, updates, and announcements, go to the Montana Wetlands Council Mailing List signup page.

Channel Migration Zone Maps

• Prickly Pear/Ten Mile Creek CMZ
• Montana Wetland and Riparian Mapping Center

Obtaining Wetland Maps for Montana

Webinar: Montana Wetland and Riparian Mapping: Where to Find It and How to Use Them Classification Handout

The following links are web sites where information regarding wetland location can be obtained. This data can be viewed spatially via the web or downloaded by quad/or state into a GIS program.

Montana Wetland and Riparian Mapping Center

The Montana Heritage Wetland and Riparian Mapping Center produces much of the wetland and riparian maps for Montana. Currently NWI does not provide riparian area maps. Maps of provisional wetland data and riparian areas may be available for areas not currently in the NWI data base and can be obtained by contacting the Montana Natural Heritage Program (406) 444-3380.

USFWS National Wetlands Inventory

The NWI Wetlands Mapper allows you to download and view wetlands at a scale of 1:100,000 or less. Using the NWI Wetlands Mapper lets you download wetlands only in the immediate vicinity of the area you are interested in. Wetlands Mapper also has the capability of producing maps that can be printed.

Download Data by State

Google Earth

View NWI Wetlands in Google Earth follow the WetlandsData.KMZ link on NWI Wetlands in Google Earth page.

GIS Clearinghouse

Montana GIS Clearinghouse allows you to download a statewide dataset of wetlands currently mapped in Montana in a GIS shapefile format. Generally this is a very large file. Check the metadata to determine when this dataset was last updated.

Not finding wetlands information for your area? Click here to determine if wetlands have been or are scheduled to be mapped in your area.

If you need further assistance, contact Stephen Carpenedo (406) 444-3527 or the Montana Natural Heritage (406) 444-3380.

The Wetland Program at MDEQ, Montana Wetlands Legacy Partnership, Big Hole Watershed Committee, and Greater Gallatin Watershed Committee, with funding from an EPA Wetland Program Development Grant started a pilot project in early 2011 to incorporate wetlands into the watershed restoration planning process. The goals of this project are:

1. Incorporate wetland-specific goals and objectives into comprehensive watershed restoration plans;
2. Increase the capacity of local governments and watershed groups to protect and restore wetlands through watershed restoration plans;
3. Demonstrate the steps, techniques, and tools available for incorporating wetlands into watershed restoration planning;
4. Demonstrate how the incorporation of wetlands into watershed restoration plans can contribute to reducing pollutant loads identified in the TMDL planning process; and
5. Expand the incorporation of wetlands into other watershed restoration plans through the transfer of knowledge gained. To accomplish this we are loosely following the template the Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) outlined in 'Using local Watershed Plans to Protect Wetlands' which recommends 11 steps necessary for incorporating wetlands into watershed restoration plans.

Best Management Practices to Address Wetland Disturbances in the Musselshell River Basin

Water Quality Permitting

The following web pages are to the wetlands resources programs at Montana's Indian Reservations. Some tribes do not maintain wetland programs.

• Confederated Salish & Kootenai Water Management Program
• Fort Peck Tribes Water Resources
• Northern Cheyenne Wetlands Program

2011-2018 Wetland Program Plan

Project Plan Links:

• Final report to EPA on Integrating Wetlands into Watershed Restoration Plans - 2/9/2013
• 'Exploring your Aquatic Resources' Interactive Web Application

Other Wetland Documents:

• Strategic Framework 2013-2017
• 2008-2012 Strategic Framework: Assessment of Accomplishments
• Common Native and Invasive Wetland Plants in Montana
• Association of State Wetland Managers Homepage
• ASWM Rapanos Guidance
• Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States
• Glossary of Wetlands Terms
• Environmental Protection Agency Wetland Fact Sheets
• Natural Resources and Conservation Service
• UDSA PLANTS Database
• US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetland Deliniation Manual 1987
• USACE Wetland Regional Supplements

Wetland conservation priorities are funded by an Environmental Protection Agency grant program administered by the DEQ Wetland Coordinator. Currently, there are 20 active grant projects involving state and local governments.

• EPA 319 Grants - Non-Point Source Management Program
• Other Potential Funding Sources

Stephen Carpenedo  (406) 444-3527