Creating a More Thorough and Accurate Waterways Layer in Response to Rapid Growth - Gallatin Valley, Montana

Keywords: GIS, Waterways, Montana, Oral Histories, Urban Planning
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

The Gallatin Valley in Southwestern Montana is currently experiencing unprecedented population growth. As growing towns expand into areas previously used largely for agriculture, local governments must consult a variety of references for waterway locations to apply appropriate building guidelines and develop a plan for how to use existing water conveyances for both green infrastructure tie-ins and stormwater management. Our work focused on two specific areas newly annexed into the City of Bozeman. In these areas there was a need to locate and document waterways not included in the City’s geodatabase, and update the conveyances that did exist digitally, but did not reflect the accurate locations of the waterways. Through a collaborative effort with a local watershed council, we compiled multiple reference layers to make preliminary revisions to the existing waterways layer. Additionally we consulted historic sources and met with local irrigators to incorporate institutional and community knowledge shared among the group for generations, but was never communicated to the appropriate entities for inclusion in previous geodatabases. This project integrated these oral histories with a wide range of other reference layers, all of which varied in thoroughness and accuracy. The finished product provides the most accurate and inclusive layer currently available for the City of Bozeman, and will be used by various departments to make better informed planning decisions going forward as the city continues to grow.