Bighorn River Alliance

Bighorn River Alliance The Bighorn River Alliance is a non-profit organization that works to protect Montana's Bighorn River Numbers matter in conservation.

Montana's Bighorn River is the largest tributary to the free-flowing Yellowstone River and contains both a blue ribbon trout fishery located within the Crow Tribal reservation boundaries, and a warm water fishery downstream from the city of Hardin. Conservation challenges of the river are complicated with the path of the river which flows through two states, a sovereign nation and a national recre

ational area, and scientific monitoring and research on the system are limited. The Bighorn River Alliance recognizes that the Bighorn River is one of the least monitored river systems in the state of Montana, and works to fill that void through scientific investigations, monitoring and enhancement projects that benefit the fisheries and the river ecosystem. From long term monitoring projects pertaining to aquatic insects and water quality, flow management negotiations and advocacy, side channel reconnection projects and intensive mapping, BHRA is taking the lead in collecting data that will aid in the protection and enhancement of the River. If you fish the Bighorn River, please consider giving back to the resource by becoming a member of the Bighorn River Alliance (BHRA).

09/03/2026

Bighorn River Flow Update

If you noticed a sudden increase in flows — and quite a bit of floating vegetation — on the Bighorn today, here’s what happened.

BHRA spoke with USBR this afternoon. A large tree, root wad and all, had recently blown into the Afterbay and became lodged against the upstream side of one of Afterbay dams radial gates. Because it was important to remove the tree, dam operators temporarily opened the gate approximately three feet to flush it through.

That operation caused a brief increase in river flows to approximately 1,980 cfs. The temporary surge also helps explain the increase in algae and other vegetation moving downstream that many people observed today.

The tree has since been successfully removed from the river.

The good news is that the sluice gates are also on schedule to be back in service by tomorrow afternoon. Once they are operational, Afterbay Reservoir should be able to return to normal operations, resulting in more stable flows on the Bighorn.

Thank you to everyone who called or reached out today. We appreciate how closely our community keeps an eye on the river, and we’ll continue sharing updates when we learn more.

Any guesses on #1? Link in comments!
08/29/2026

Any guesses on #1? Link in comments!

A side channel restored. A setback we didn’t expect. And a second chance for more than half a mile of wild-trout habitat...
08/28/2026

A side channel restored. A setback we didn’t expect. And a second chance for more than half a mile of wild-trout habitat.

BHRA originally reactivated the 2,760-foot African Queen side channel in 2023, restoring flow to a diverse stretch of pools, runs, and riffles along the Bighorn River.

For nearly two years, it worked as intended. Then, in the summer of 2025, a severe flood in the Soap Creek watershed deposited sediment and debris near the channel entrance, dramatically reducing the amount of water reaching African Queen.

With support from the Yellow Dog Community & Conservation Foundation, BHRA returned this August to restore the channel’s function. Crews removed accumulated debris, narrowed and deepened the entrance, and improved riffles to help African Queen capture and carry water more effectively.

The response was immediate.

By the end of construction on August 5, more than 70 cfs was flowing through African Queen—even with the Bighorn River running at only about 1,500 cfs.

That means more than half a mile of side-channel habitat is once again connected to the Bighorn, providing pools, runs, riffles, and important habitat for wild trout.

Restoration doesn’t always end when construction is finished. Rivers change, and sometimes protecting an investment means returning, adapting, and improving.

We are incredibly grateful to the Yellow Dog Community & Conservation Foundation for its $10,000 grant and its partnership in protecting and improving the Bighorn River.

08/26/2026

If you’re out on the Bighorn every day, you may be wondering why the river feels deeper today than it did a month ago, even though releases from Yellowtail Dam have remained at 1,500 cfs.

This is SUCH a good question—and part of the answer is 🌱 PLANTS! 🪴

As aquatic vegetation becomes more abundant, it creates additional hydraulic resistance in the river. Think of it as adding friction to the channel. With more resistance, the river may need a higher water-surface elevation to move the same amount of water downstream.

In other words, 1,500 cfs flowing through a heavily vegetated river can behave differently than 1,500 cfs flowing through a relatively vegetation-free channel. Heavy plant growth can actually increase water depth in portions of the river—not just make it look or feel deeper.

This is also why the BHRA Dashboard includes both the actual river release and a “Feels Like” flow. While current releases are 1,500 cfs, current river stage corresponds more closely to what we would typically experience at approximately 1,920 cfs.

Actual release: 1,500 cfs 💧
“Feels Like”: ~1,920 cfs 🌱

Same amount of water coming out of the dam. More plants in the river. Higher water surface. Pretty cool river science!

BHRA is proud to be part of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Technical Working Group, which brings together USBR, Montan...
08/26/2026

BHRA is proud to be part of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Technical Working Group, which brings together USBR, Montana FWP, Wyoming Game and Fish, WAPA, the Crow Tribe, National Park Service, and Bighorn Lake users to review and discuss Yellowtail Dam operations and water management.

Today, the group had the opportunity to go behind the scenes for a tour of Yellowtail Dam. One of the more interesting sights: carp actively cleaning periphyton (algae and other growth) from the upstream face of the dam!

It was a great opportunity to get an up-close look at the infrastructure and operations that play such an important role in managing the Bighorn River and Bighorn Lake. More about the tour and current conditions coming soon in the August Monthly Update!

08/18/2026

WE’RE HIRING! 🎣

The Bighorn River Alliance is looking for a Field & Monitoring Technician to join our team and help carry out our on-the-ground science and conservation work on the Bighorn River.

This hands-on position will support:

💧 Water quality monitoring
🪲 Macroinvertebrate monitoring
🌿 Side-channel restoration and project monitoring
🚤 Field operations, including boats and vehicles
🔬 Monitoring equipment maintenance and data collection

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working outdoors, can work independently, takes pride in collecting high-quality scientific data, and wants to make a tangible contribution to the health of the Bighorn River.

Know someone who would be a great fit? Help us spread the word! https://www.bighornriveralliance.org/post/hiring-field-monitoring-technician

📩 Applications: [email protected]

Water Quality Update! 📊 We are happy to report that the cold water fishery of the Bighorn is looking good for August, as...
08/14/2026

Water Quality Update! 📊
We are happy to report that the cold water fishery of the Bighorn is looking good for August, as per today’s monthly water quality run. River temps are remaining well within suitable ranges for wild trout (much thanks to our 400 ft deep reservoir) and dissolved oxygen levels remain OUTSTANDING (between 10 -14 mg/L), thanks to our productive aquatic vegetation 🌱. Water clarity is also 🙌, with visibility exceeding four feet from Afterbay to Bighorn FAS, afterwhich visibility decreases to 2-3 feet a bit before Mallards and down to Two Leggins. We are getting through this low water year and we THANK YOU for your financial support which makes this monitoring possible!

08/06/2026

TROUT SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT🎣
During low flow conditions please avoid releasing trout directly into dense grass or slow, stagnant water. Fish recovering from being caught need access to cool, well-oxygenated, moving water.

When possible, row 🚣🏻‍♂️ beyond the grass line and gently hold the trout in your net in the main current, keeping it submerged and facing into the flow. Give the fish time to recover and allow it to swim away on its own.

A few extra moments of care can make a big difference.

08/03/2026

From Ryder Paggen at MFWP:
"There is a potential wildlife conflict with the trash receptacles at Mallard’s Landing FAS. In wildlife related conflicts for the safety of users and wildlife, it is best practice to remove the attractants. FWP is removing trash receptacles from Mallards Landing. All users of Mallards Landing FAS must follow a “pack it in, pack it out” initiative. FWP is looking for more wildlife friendly trash alternatives but may ultimately decide Mallard’s Landing does not offer refuse collection."

A little tune-up for the African Queen Channel! 🚜💧On Wednesday, August 5, BHRA will be back at the African Queen side ch...
08/01/2026

A little tune-up for the African Queen Channel! 🚜💧

On Wednesday, August 5, BHRA will be back at the African Queen side channel to improve how water flows into this important habitat, thanks to grant funds provided by Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation!

Heavy storms in the Soap Creek drainage last summer moved a significant amount of debris into the channel entrance, reducing both flow and velocity.

In one day, our crew consisting of geomorphologists and an excavator will remove the accumulated debris, narrow the entrance to improve velocity, and reshape the downstream point to better capture mainstem flow. The channel is currently flowing at less than 4 cfs, with the Bighorn at roughly 1,500 cfs. We’ll measure again after the work and share the results!

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Billings, MT

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+14065342915

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