Water Quality Monitoring for Parks in the NPS Greater Yellowstone Network

The NPS Vital Signs Monitoring Program’s Greater Yellowstone Network (GRYN) and the NPS Water Resources Division support monitoring of water chemistry and aquatic macroinvertebrates at stations in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. The goal is to determine the status and long-term trends in water quality for selected perennial rivers and streams, and signature lakes such as Yellowstone and Jackson Lakes. In 2005 the GRYN parks began monitoring waters identified by the states as water quality impaired. In 2006 monitoring was expanded to include Outstanding Natural Resources Waters in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and perennial streams in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.