An Integrated Drought Early Warning System to Support Coldwater Fisheries Management

In this NIDIS-funded study, researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey, Montana State University, and Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks developed a drought early warning framework that forecasts river conditions that could result in temporary fishery closures and restrictions across Montana’s renowned trout fisheries.

This drought early warning system, TroutCast, provides daily updated seasonal forecasts to help anticipate effects to recreational fishing opportunities. rToutCast integrates long-term trout population monitoring data from MFWP, USGS streamflow records, and weather information to generate management (1–4 week) and long-term (1–3 year) forecasts of trout population trends and drought risk. The tool also estimates the likelihood of fisheries management actions triggered by drought-related low streamflows or elevated water temperatures.

Read the research article in Fisheries, or learn more about this research.