Overview
Flathead Valley Air Monitoring Station in Columbia Falls, Montana, is operated by the MT Dept of Environmental Quality. It provides ambient air quality data as part of the US EPA AQS network.
Flathead Valley is an Air Monitoring Station located at 610 13th Street West in Columbia Falls, Montana, within the Flathead County area. The station is operated by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, and is part of the broader US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) monitoring network. As a fixed-site monitor, it contributes to the assessment of regional air quality in the Flathead Valley region. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Air Act and EPA ambient air quality standards. Typical air monitoring stations in Montana measure criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and nitrogen dioxide. The station's last reported sample date is June 30, 2025, indicating ongoing data collection. The siting follows EPA guidelines for representativeness, ensuring data reflects local air quality conditions. The Flathead Valley station serves the community by providing essential data for public health advisories and regulatory compliance. Its location in an athletic field suggests a focus on population exposure monitoring. The data supports state and federal efforts to maintain air quality standards and protect respiratory health in the region.
Environmental context
The Flathead Valley region in Montana experiences air quality influences from both local sources, such as wood burning and transportation, and regional sources like wildfire smoke. The monitoring station's parameter coverage typically includes criteria pollutants, with potential for additional speciation depending on network priorities. Siting in a community area ensures representativeness for population exposure. Reporting continuity is maintained through the state agency's regular sampling schedule, contributing to long-term trend analysis under the EPA AQS framework.
Frequently asked questions
The Flathead Valley Air Monitoring Station is located at 610 13th Street West in Columbia Falls, Montana, within an athletic field. It is part of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality's air monitoring network.
As an EPA AQS monitoring station, it typically measures criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and nitrogen dioxide. The exact parameter list may vary based on network objectives.
The station is operated by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, which is responsible for ambient air quality monitoring across the state.
The station operates under the US Clean Air Act and EPA regulations, specifically the Air Quality System (AQS) network. Data is used to assess compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
The station provides continuous air quality data that supports public health advisories, regulatory compliance, and trend analysis. Its location in a community area helps assess population exposure to air pollutants.
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