About Us
United to protect the headwaters of the Gallatin and Madison Rivers.
Who We Are
Working together since 2016.
The Big Sky Headwaters Partnership unites diverse partners to protect our headwaters and help facilitate innovative water stewardship solutions across three key focus areas: Ecological Health of the River Systems, Water Supply and Availability, and Wastewater Treatment and Reuse.
Our Vision
Big Sky strives to be a model mountain community by protecting and improving water resources, sustaining ecological health of the watersheds, and supporting a vibrant local economy.
What We Do
The Big Sky Headwaters Partnership brings together 40+ representatives from nonprofit, private, local, and state entities to address critical water challenges across the headwaters of both the Gallatin and Madison River systems, establishing Big Sky as a model Montana and mountain resort community for water management.
Our Partners
We Envision
A nationally regarded water management model that implements cutting-edge actions and collects data to prove results
A replicable framework that other Montana and mountain communities can adapt
Collaborative solutions that foster community consensus
Quantified data on the value of water resources—demonstrating why this work matters
How We Work
Three approaches. One goal.
Technical
Science-based monitoring, evaluation, and engineering solutions that help us understand the watershed and implement effective improvements.
Policy & Planning
Working to update policies, ordinances, and guidelines that shape how water is managed across the Big Sky community.
Community & Collaborative
Bringing partner organizations together to coordinate on solutions that no single group can achieve alone.
Our Plan
The Big Sky Headwaters Plan.
In 2018, the Partnership published the first Big Sky Headwaters Plan—a comprehensive water management framework covering the Gallatin and Madison River headwaters. The 2024–2029 update builds on that foundation, incorporating new data and addressing emerging challenges.
Download the Big Sky Headwaters PlanKey Milestones
Water quality monitoring begins under the Blue Water Task Force, later known as the Gallatin River Task Force.
Several partners come together to host the wastewater solutions forum.
Regional water collaboration expands; the inaugural partnership meeting is held; the Big Sky Water Conservation Program is established.
The first Big Sky Area Watershed Stewardship Plan is completed by representatives from 35 nonprofit, private, local, and state entities.
The 2024–2029 update to the Big Sky Headwaters Plan is launched, establishing priorities for the next five years.
The initiative is officially named the Big Sky Headwaters Partnership.