The Middle Clark Fork River flows approximately 115 miles from its confluence with the Blackfoot River near Missoula, Montana downstream to the Flathead River. When the Clark Fork crosses the Idaho border, it is Montana’s largest river, carrying an average 22,000 cubic feet of water per second. Bull trout were listed as a federally threatened species in the Clark Fork River- as part of the larger Columbia River basin- in 1998, and westslope cutthroat are a petitioned listed species. Fish population surveys throughout tributaries of the Middle Clark Fork basin in 1999-2004 indicated that as few as four tributaries support fluvial bull trout populations. Impacts to the mainstem river and tributaries include historic mining, timber harvest, road systems, and agricultural management in the valley bottoms.
The Middle Clark can be viewed as a lynchpin in the entire Clark River system, connecting relatively healthy populations of native fish in portions of the Blackfoot River and other Upper Clark Fork River tributaries to populations in the Lower Clark Fork and Flathead River basin. With a focus on historic mining impacts, TU has embarked on an aggressive effort to protect and improve the Middle Clark Fork River’s bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations through large scale habitat restoration efforts. TU staff and volunteers work closely with agency personnel from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and the Lolo National Forest, as well as private landowners, local government, community groups and other conservation organizations.
Current and completed projects:
|
.gif)
