NRIS, in cooperation with NRCS in Bozeman, and Region 1 of the USFS, is pleased to announce the availability of a public review portal for draft 6th code (subwatershed) delineations in Montana.

This is the final phase of a multi-year project to complete the USGS/NRCS standard delineation for subwatersheds, more commonly known as 6th code hydrologic units. The public review phase (and subsequent changes, if any) is the final step before submission of the delineations to NRCS for verification.

NRIS is conducting the review on behalf of the USFS and NRCS.  The review will be conducted in phases, most likely by USGS 3 codes (Basins). There are 17 of these in Montana, making up about 100 4th code units. Each unit will be available for review for from 6-10 weeks each, depending on size. We are starting in NE Montana, with basin 100600 (Missouri Poplar) which is comprise of seven 4th codes. We will generally be working east to west for region 10 (Missouri Basin). Within a week or so, we will load and launch the review for the first westside third code, 170102 (Pend Oreille). This is a large 3rd code (thirteen 4th codes). This will be followed on the westside by the only other 3rd code in the Columbia Basin, 170101 (Kootenai).

The review portal is structured to allow query and review by 4th code. NRIS has prepared a website describing the whole process, that is available at http://nris.state.mt.us/nsdi/watershed/6threview.html. In addition, we have prepared a list serve that will be used for all communication regarding this project. You may already be a member of this list server, but if not, you can subscribe by clicking this link mailto:join-6codes@lists.state.mt.us and sending the email (if you're not sure you're on the list, its ok to subscribe again, the system will simply return a message saying you are already a subscriber).

If you are interested in participating in this important reveiw process, please subscribe to the list, check out the website, and most importantly, provide comments on the watersheds you are interested in when they become available for review. We have made every effort to insure that the draft delineations adhere to the national standard, but the nature of this work requires a certain degree of judgement and interpretation, so we welcome your comments and feedback.