The medicine watershed (HUC 10250008) covers an area of 1,210 square miles located in Montana. The watershed is characterized by a high-altitude, arid climate with an average annual precipitation of 14 inches, mostly in the form of snow. The watershed is home to several headwaters of the Missouri River and serves as a crucial source of drinking water for local communities. The melting snowpack in the watershed feeds into several surface water bodies, including the Nelson Reservoir, which is used for irrigation and recreation. However, the reservoir has been shown to have high levels of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, as well as sediment. This has led to concerns over water quality and potential harmful algal blooms. Climate change is also affecting the medicine watershed, with decreasing snowpack and increasing temperatures, which could impact water availability and quality in the future.