DROUGHT RESILIENCY PLANNING
Bozeman, MontanaAbout the Project
Situated near the headwaters of the Gallatin River watershed, the City of Bozeman has an advantageous location with respect to pristine water quality, but the City is extremely dependent on snowmelt runoff and adequate snowpack, along with natural and constructed reservoir storage, to provide an adequate supply of water to residents throughout the year.Project Details
Date: 2015 – 2016
Client: City of Bozeman
Key Project Elements
- Drought Monitoring Plan
- Drought Mitigation Plan
- Drought Response Plan
- Operational and Administrative Framework
- Drought Management Plan Update
Developing Strategies to Maximize Available Water Supplies and Reduce Water Use During Times of Shortage
Chronic drought conditions from inadequate snowpack and reduced precipitation levels are a significant concern for the City. Given the susceptibility of Montana to drought, the City initiated development of a Drought Management Plan to establish procedures to better predict, manage, and mitigate drought impacts, or an event that compromises the ability to provide water to the community.The Drought Management Plan created by AE2S in collaboration with the City focuses on six key tasks:
- Vulnerability Assessment: Evaluate existing water resources drought and related event impacts.
- Drought Monitoring Plan: Identify critical parameters to be monitored, predict, measure, and assess drought severity.
- Drought Mitigation Plan: Establish protocol for actions, programs, and strategies for implementation to increase system resiliency and lessen drought impacts.
- Drought Response Plan: Identify drought stage triggers and recommend actions to reduce demand, encourage water savings, and enforce ordinances.
- Operational and Administrative Framework: Identify roles, responsibilities, and procedures to support drought monitoring, initiate mitigation/response, and update the plan.
- Drought Management Plan Update: Establish a process to monitor effectiveness of the drought management plan, consider enhancements, and implement changes.