A newly formed task force is reviewing how water is managed and shared on the Poplar River, which rises in the province of Saskatchewan and flows into the state of Montana as a tributary to the Missouri River. Another tributary to the Missouri called Big Muddy Creek also is included in the work.
The International Joint Commission (IJC) created the International Poplar River and Big Muddy Creek Task Force in 2024 to meet responsibilities under a 1948 Reference from Canada and the United States. A separate arrangement by the governments created the Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee in 1980.
The task force’s goal is to assess how well current reporting in the basin aligns with IJC responsibilities under the1948 Reference. It will also examine whether any aspects not covered in the reporting are contributing to issues and if so, make recommendations for mechanisms to address that reporting.
IJC responsibilities under the 1948 Reference include:
- investigating and reporting on water requirements arising out of dams and other works
- reporting whether further uses of waters would be practicable
- making recommendations on apportionment
- investigating and preparing plans of mutual advantage to the two countries.
The Poplar River Bilateral Monitoring Committee has separate responsibilities for monitoring air quality and water, and issues annual reports.
The task force is led by Canadian Co-chair Patrick Cherneski from the Canada Water Agency and United States Co-chair Melissa Schaar from the US Geological Survey.
Other members include Corie White of the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and Jake Mohrmann with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Members are supported by staff from the US Geological Survey and Canada Water Agency. Indigenous members from both sides of the border are being sought as outlined in the task force’s Terms of Reference.
The task force meets regularly to identify and review existing reports, information and data as part of a needs and gap analysis. An important part of the Task Force’s work will be public engagement sessions in the basin, along with meetings with other interested parties to gather input.
The first phase of the task force’s work is expected to be complete later this year with a short report to the IJC detailing findings and making recommendations on the need to address any gaps. Depending on the results of phase one, a second phase, if approved by the Commission, could include further work to make recommendations on collaboration, outreach and resources needed to fill any gaps in reporting identified in the first phase.
You may find out more about the International Poplar River and Big Muddy Creek Task Force at https://ijc.org/en/poplarbigmuddytf .
