The DFWP has also collected water quality data at 

 various locations in the upper river in conjunction with 

 bioassays conducted during 1986, 1987, and 1988 (Phillips 

 et al. 1987) . 



The DHES-WQB and the USGS have collected the majority of 

 surface water data in the basin. A significant amount of 

 data has also been generated as part of the Silver Bow Creek 

 Super fund Investigation. These recent and current programs 

 are described in the following sections. 



The DHES-WQB has initiated a number of surface water 

 monitoring programs on the Clark Fork in the last few years. 

 Six stations in the upper Clark Fork have been sampled 

 monthly since December 1982, with two more stations added in 

 January 1984. In March 1984, the Water Quality Bureau began 

 an extensive investigation (31 monitoring stations) of the 

 lower Clark Fork to address public concerns over the general 

 health of the lower river. Much of this concern was 

 generated by the modification of the wastewater discharge 

 permit for the paper mill near Missoula. In September 1985, 

 the upper and lower Clark Fork monitoring programs were 

 merged to form the Clark Fork Basin Study. Several moni- 

 toring stations were added in the upper river, including two 

 stations between the Little Blackfoot and Turah, to link the 

 two monitoring sections. Some of the lower river monitoring 

 stations were eliminated so that now a total of 32 fixed 

 stations (Silver Bow Creek, Clark Fork, major tributaries, 

 and wastewater discharges) are sampled in the Clark Fork 

 Basin (Figure 3-14) . Monitoring is conducted monthly from 

 August through March and twice monthly from April through 

 July. Parameters monitored include: discharge; field pH and 

 temperature; calcium; magnesium; total and volatile suspended 

 sediment (VSS) ; alkalinity; total and dissolved algal 

 nutrients; and total recoverable arsenic, copper, and zinc. 

 Biological monitoring (periphyton, macroinvertebrates) and DO 

 surveys are conducted once each summer. Dissolved metals may 

 be added in the future. The project has been funded by EPA, 

 the state general fund, and the RIT program since July 1986. 

 An extension through June 1989 was approved by the 1987 

 Legislature. 



Results of WQB State Fiscal Year 1985-87 monitoring in 

 the Clark Fork Basin are summarized in this report. Each of 

 the three years was characterized by lower-than-normal 

 streamflows. While FY 1986 conditions were not far below 

 normal (and in fact included a major mid-winter flood) , FY 

 1985 and especially FY 1987 can be described as drought 

 years. Consequently, the data collected during the period 

 are not representative of average or above-average flow 

 conditions. 



3-61 



