Lots of things can cause turbidity in rivers, i.e. soils being washed by erosion into otherwise healthy waterways, turning them muddy which can harm fish and water quality. Even soil erosion coming off of ski areas and mechanized recreation trails can contribute to turbidity in streams like the blue-ribbon Gallatin upstream of Big Sky, Servheen writes. The Gallatin also has dealt with pollution caused by leaking sewage facilities in and around Big Sky. Photo courtesy Calvin Servheen.
Lots of things can cause turbidity in rivers, i.e. soils being washed by erosion into otherwise healthy waterways, turning them muddy which can harm fish and water quality. Even soil erosion coming off of ski areas and mechanized recreation trails can contribute to turbidity in streams like the blue-ribbon Gallatin upstream of Big Sky, Servheen writes. The Gallatin also has dealt with pollution caused by leaking sewage facilities in and around Big Sky. Photo courtesy Calvin Servheen.