Here’s a true, important, universal generalization: Across time and cultures, water normally flows uphill toward money. What are the implications for our area? Let’s first consider Yellowstone Park.

The thermal features of Yellowstone are fed by aquifers that reach and recharge far beyond Park boundaries. Yellowstone would still be magnificent, but it would be much less impressive without the geysers. (Old Unfaithful?) Mammoth Terrace and the hot pots are world famous. In recognition of this, in 1993 the Yellowstone Controlled Groundwater Area (YCGA) was created to protect this supply.

Since the YCGA’s creation, groundwater development in the Big Sky area has dramatically increased -- and we expect a great deal more. I see evidence of this each day as hundreds of pickups driven by construction workers head up the Gallatin Canyon to the Big Sky area.

Barring major calamities (e.g., a missile attack on a U.S. commercial airliner), development will continue; the forces motivating new arrivals are growing. The cost of distance has imploded due to the Internet, FedEx, and jets. Further, the hassles of living in dense urban areas have risen, e.g., ever more stressful commutes. Concurrently, previously remote locations such as Big Sky have become accessible.

These are powerful forces indeed. Our area will continue to change. Big Sky will expand and water consumption increase. Only nature or exogenous forces could stop this. Our challenge is to accommodate growth and constrain negative spillovers.

Good Information Is a Scarce Resource

The Madison Aquifer underlies portions of four states and includes Big Sky. When the Congress authorized the YCGA, scientists believed water wells at Big Sky threatened the geothermal features of Yellowstone. Later research indicated this is probably wrong. But an unexpected concern emerged.

Scientists believed the Gallatin River recharges the Madison Aquifer near Big Sky. A study by MSU Earth Sciences student Mark Schaffer demonstrated the opposite: the Madison Aquifer feeds the West Gallatin River. This may be an extremely important finding.

The West Gallatin River is a major contributor to our economy and quality of life. While recreation is a growing factor, irrigation remains essential to the character of our valley. As Stegner reminds us, west of the 100th meridian, where water is scarce, green trumps brown.

The Gallatin’s flow peaks during the runoff of early summer. It tapers off as snow melts in the high country, and usually diminishes from mid-July through September.

To me, river water quality has three dimensions: cleanliness, volume (cfs), and temperature. High quality is critical to the Gallatin, for so much of our life and life-style depend upon it. And that’s why the Madison Aquifer recharge is so valuable.

During the hot summer months, approximately 20 percent of the Gallatin’s flow comes from the Madison Aquifer recharge. This water is constant in terms of volume (approx. 65 cfs) and temperature (approx. 55º F). This is great water coming at the most valuable time of year. For example, our world-famous trout are highly sensitive to water temperature and cleanliness. (Major portions of A River Runs Through It were filmed on the West Gallatin near Big Sky.)

Assuming that well development in the Big Sky area doesn’t adversely affect the thermal features of Yellowstone Park, the key question becomes this: Do these wells threaten the Madison Aquifer recharge of the Gallatin?

The answer is simple: we don’t know. Substantial geological and hydrological research is lacking.

The implications should be obvious -- especially to those with a stake in the further development of Big Sky. The quality of the Gallatin River is extremely important to voter-residents of our area. (Just check the Yellow Pages under outfitters and fly fishing.) If Big Sky development threatens river quality, opposition will mount. And delays cost money.

Big Sky developers who assert and believe that their wells don’t influence the Madison Aquifer recharge have strong incentives to support the geological/hydrological research required to substantiate their claims (and promote policy innovations such as water banking, but that’s another column).

Here are two more generalizations true across time and cultures: 1) when water is scarce, folks fight over it; and 2), consulting engineers are responsive to those who hire them.

Stay tuned.

(I thank geology professor Steve Custer of MSU’s Earth Sciences Dept. for his tutorial on Yellowstone.)