Wetland and Riparian Information

Wetlands provide critical biological and economic benefits such as habitat, flood attenuation, and groundwater recharge. Due to their importance, wetland and riparian areas are a focus of regulatory agencies and the mapping of these habitats is deemed important enough for inclusion as a Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) layer. With support from our partners, and in collaboration with the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West, we map wetlands and riparian areas to FGDC and USFWS National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) wetland and riparian mapping standards.

The status of mapping wetland and riparian areas to modern standards across Montana and the partners that have funded the mapping is shown at the right; click on the maps for larger images.

Below is a list of links to mapping products and standards, reports and resources for Montana, websites dealing with conservation, regulation, and permitting, and methodologies and forms for assessing and monitoring wetland condition.

If you have questions about wetland and riparian habitats that are not answered by the information resources on this page, please contact us at mtnhp@mt.gov

Mapping Products and Standards

• Wetland and Riparian Mapping - View in Map Viewer
• Wetland and Riparian Mapping - Downloadable from Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure Layer
• Montana Water Information System
• Story Map on Mapping Montana Wetlands
• A Guide to Wetland and Deepwater Habitats Classification Used in the National Wetland Inventory Mapping
• A Guide to Wetland and Riparian Mapping Status for Montana
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - National Wetlands Inventory
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - System for Mapping Riparian Areas in the Western United States
• Federal Geographic Data Committee - Wetlands Mapping Standard
• Federal Geographic Data Committee - Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States
• Cowardin et al (1979) - Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States
• Quick Overview of Attributes for Mapping Wetland and Riparian Habitats in Montana

Reports and Resources for Montana

• A Strategic Framework for Wetland and Riparian Area Conservation and Restoration in Montana
• Field Guide to Montana's Wetland and Riparian Ecological Systems
• Common Native and Invasive Wetland Plants in Montana

Conservation, Regulation, and Permitting Websites for Montana

• Montana Department of Environmental Quality - Wetlands
• Montana Department of Environmental Quality - Water Permitting (e.g., 401 and 318) and Operator Assistance
• Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks - Migratory Bird Wetland Program
• Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks - Aquatic Invasive Species
• Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
• Montana Department of Transportation
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Natural Resources Conservation Service

Condition Assessment Documents

• Wetland Assessment and Monitoring Framework
• Ecological Integrity Assessment Protocol
• Landscape-level Assessment
• Rapid Assessment Overview and Form
• Intensive Assessment Overview and Form
• Water Quality Form

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