Save Wild Trout Captures Early Algae Bloom With Aerial Photography on Big Hole River; Jefferson Basin Report To Be Released On July 14
Big Hole River, MT — Save Wild Trout (SWT) continues its 2025 field season with expanded water quality monitoring across the Jefferson Basin, building on years of science-based advocacy to protect Montana’s rivers. This weekend, that work was complemented by aerial photography documenting an early-season algae bloom on the lower Big Hole River—part of a troubling trend first reported by SWT in late June across the Big Hole, Jefferson, and Boulder Rivers.
The public is invited to learn more about these concerning trends during an upcoming event in Helena and online, “Protecting the Jefferson Basin,” where Dr. Kyle Flynn will unveil a new scientific report entitled “Jefferson River Basin Abiotic Monitoring 2023–2024” based on two years of data collected by Save Wild Trout.
Following SWT’s early-season algae bloom reports, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) expedited its field work in response. SWT’s is looking forward to seeing their results and proposed solutions to address illegal levels of nutrient pollution.
Aerial Documentation of Algae Bloom
The algae bloom documented this Sunday was captured by Dan Armstrong, a board member of Upper Missouri Waterkeeper and professional photographer (www.daphotos.com), using a drone at Pennington Bridge on the lower Big Hole River. The aerial visuals show the scale of the bloom still present a week after SWT’s initial report.
"We really appreciate committed citizens, like Dan, stepping up to volunteer their time to capture important aerial footage that helps supplement our field observations made last week during data logger deployments on the lower Big Hole," said Brian Wheeler.
"This algae bloom, which began in late June, is a stark reminder that our waters are suffering from impaired water quality. Such blooms are directly tied to high nutrient levels, which we have documented for years. We expect this problem to continue, to the detriment of beneficial uses and wild trout, as we’ve seen similar occurrences in 2020, 2023, and now 2025."
Sunday’s footage was provided to DEQ and will be available at www.SaveWildTrout.org. Wheeler will be providing updates from the field next Monday in Helena at “Protecting the Jefferson Basin,” hosted by Upper Missouri Waterkeeper.
Event Details: Protecting the Jefferson Basin
When: Monday, July 14, 2025
5:30 PM — Hands-on demonstrations of water quality sampling and field equipment for all ages
6:00 PM — Keynote presentation by Dr. Kyle Flynn, unveiling “Jefferson River Basin Abiotic Monitoring 2023–2024”, a two-year scientific report on river health in the Jefferson Basin
Field updates from Brian Wheeler, Director of Save Wild Trout, on 2025 monitoring and the road ahead for protecting all four rivers in the basin
Remarks by Guy Alsentzer, Executive Director of Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, on the advocacy implications of the report’s findings
Where:
Lewis & Clark Library, Helena, MT (online streaming will be available at www.UpperMissouriWaterkeeper.org)
Additional Information and Links:
Algae Blooms Observed by Save Wild Trout on June 28th and 29th through the Jefferson Basin.
Photos and Aerial Footage of Algae Bloom From Pennington Bridge on The Big Hole River, Dan Armstrong Photography, Courtesy Upper Missouri Waterkeeper.
#BigHoleRiverFoundation #SaveWildTrout #WaterQualityMontana #WaterQuality #ColdWaterFisheries #ClimateChange #NutrientPollution #FLIRData #JeffersonBasinReport #DrKyleFlynn
