USGS: Less water flowing through Missouri River headwaters

The Missouri River flowing through Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument (Credit: Bureau of Land Management, via Flickr)

In Montana, the U.S. Geological Survey found that the headwaters of the Missouri River are dwindling due to reduced streamflow, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported.

Looking at 50 years of data from over 200 stream gages, USGS scientists noticed decreased streamflow in many of the states that the Missouri passes through. Thirty of the 46 gages in the northern headwaters region showed annual streamflow reductions.

The root of the reduced streamflow hasn’t been determined, but possibilities include climate change and human activity such as well pumping.

Image: The Missouri River flowing through Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument (Credit: Bureau of Land Management, via Flickr)