Learn About Stormwater

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What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is rain or snow melt that flows over impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and driveways. As it flows, it picks up pollutants such as trash, dog waste, lawn fertilizers, car washing soaps, bacteria, and oil. Stormwater is then transported through a network of underground pipes and dumped into local waterways like Bozeman Creek.

Why is Stormwater Important?

Polluted stormwater that flows into local streams and rivers can negatively impact water quality, fish populations, wildlife habitat, public infrastructure, and community health.

You can make an immediate difference by educating yourself, adjusting your current practices, getting involved, and talking with your friends. See below for a list of 5 simple things you can do today:

Pick up pet waste! Dog poop is a contributor to E. coli contamination in our local streams. One gram of dog feces contains 23,000,000 strands of fecal bacteria.
Apply fertilizer responsibly and not before rainstorms. Excess fertilizer results in an abundance of nutrients in local streams and can cause harmful algae growth.
Take your car or truck to a car wash or wash it on your lawn. Washing your vehicle in the street or your driveway allows soap and grime to flow into the stormwater system, giving it a straight path to our local waterways.
Reduce the amount of stormwater runoff occurring on your property. Install a rain barrel to capture water for reuse or create a rain garden to improve infiltration and lawn aesthetics.
Never dump anything into a storm drain, ditch, pond, or stream. If you see someone disposing of any harmful chemicals or pollutants, please report by calling (406)582-3200.

Bozeman water feature

Image 1: Resident fishing the East Gallatin River

Illicit Discharge

Any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of rainfall or snow melt are considered illicit discharges and should be reported to the Stormwater Division. An illicit discharge report can be submitted through the Ask BZN portal found on the Contact the Division page. Additionally, a reporting party can contact the Stormwater Division directly by calling (406) 582-2916 or (406) 582-3200. Call 911 to report an illicit discharge after hours or in the event of a serious hazard to life, property, or environment.

Provide a Public Comment or Input

The Division encourages and sincerely appreciates public comment and input. Please fill out the following form and submit to the Division for consideration.

Public Input Form (PDF)

Stormwater Master Plan, Design Standards, and State Regulations

Please contact the Stormwater Division if you have any questions regarding the following:

The City of Bozeman and Montana State University Stormwater Management Plan (PDF), which outlines the City's short and long-term strategies for managing stormwater runoff. This document is also known as the City's Stormwater Master Plan (SWMP).