Upper Missouri River Watershed Alliance
About Upper Missouri River Watershed Alliance
If you care about the Upper Missouri River, UMOWA gives you a concrete way to protect it. The group monitors water quality, maps aquatic plants, restores streambanks, and shows up with stewardship work that helps keep the river in better shape. It also keeps people informed with live river conditions updates, so the science does not stay locked away in a file.
UMOWA stands out because its work is both scientific and public-facing. The same organization that collects data, from chemistry sampling to macroinvertebrate studies, also shares river conditions and supports hands-on stewardship in the watershed.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Water Quality Monitoring
Annual chemistry and nutrient sampling across the Holter-to-Cascade reach.
Macroinvertebrate Studies
Bug science that tracks EPT richness, biotic integrity, and flushing-flow conditions.
Aquatic Plant Project
Mapping vegetation and bathymetry from Holter Dam down to Cascade.
Restoration & Stewardship
Streambank work, noxious-weed control, habitat improvement projects, and boat-washing infrastructure.
River Conditions Dashboard
Live flow, water temperature, weather, and fishing-readout updates for the gauges UMOWA tracks.
Community Programs
Volunteer events, river clean-ups, and angler outreach.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
To enhance, conserve and protect the unique cold water environment of the Upper Missouri River watershed.
Who they serve
People connected to the Upper Missouri River watershed, including river users, volunteers, members, and the local community.
How your donation helps
- Annual water-quality, macroinvertebrate, and aquatic-plant studies
- Science and field crews
- Streambank work, weed control, and habitat improvement projects
- Boat-washing stations and education to keep invasive species out
- Volunteer events, river clean-ups, and angler outreach
Events
RO Boat Raffle
August 22, 2026A raffle that offers a chance to win a boat while supporting conservation work, with the drawing held at the UMOWA Annual Event.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Upper Missouri River Watershed Alliance has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Volunteer events
- River clean-ups
- Angler outreach
- Stewardship at the boat ramp
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What kinds of studies does UMOWA conduct?
UMOWA does annual water-quality monitoring, macroinvertebrate studies, and an aquatic plant project that maps vegetation and bathymetry.
What stewardship work does UMOWA do on the river?
UMOWA does streambank work, noxious-weed control, habitat improvement projects, and boat-washing infrastructure to help keep invasive species out.
How often is the river conditions dashboard updated?
The dashboard is refreshed every 30 minutes with data from USGS and NWS.
How can people get involved?
People can join as donors, members, volunteers, or stewards at the boat ramp, and take part in volunteer events, river clean-ups, and angler outreach.
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