Memorandum

Brian Heaston, Senior Water Resources Engineer

Shawn Kohtz, Utilities Director

Authorize the City Manager to Sign a Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for Streamflow Gaging Station Operations for Federal Fiscal Year 2027

Authorize the City Manager to sign a Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for Streamflow Gaging Station Operations for Federal Fiscal Year 2027

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates real-time streamflow gaging stations on the East Gallatin River near the City’s Water Reclamation Facility and on Hyalite Creek near the mouth of Hyalite Canyon. These gages record continuous real-time streamflow data that are made publicly available on the USGS website.  Real-time flow gaging provides beneficial data for the City that may be utilized for a multitude of purposes, including: issuing flood warnings, local drought stage monitoring, assessing climate impacts to long-term water availability trends, and discharge permit compliance.
 
The City and USGS have historically partnered on funding the annual maintenance and operations costs for the East Gallatin River gage.  The addition of joint funding for the Hyalite Creek gage was a new funding share for the City for federal fiscal year 2023. Continued joint funding for both the East Gallatin and Hyalite gages for the upcoming federal FY27 (Oct 1 – Sept 30) is provided for in the attached Joint Funding Agreement.  

None.

As suggested by the City Commission.

The City’s cost share per the federal FY27 JFA amounts to $27,470 ($13,735 for each of the two gages).  The authorized FY27 Wastewater Reclamation Facility operating budget has line item funding for the East Gallatin River gage costs.  Water Conservation Division's FY27 operating budget has line item funding for the Hyalite Creek gage.