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1. Mainstem Clark Fork River Drainage (Upper) 



This drainage segment of the Clark Fork River extends from the headwaters 

 area near Butte, Montana to the mouth of the Blackfoot River at Bonner, 

 Montana. The watershed is defined by the Continental Divide to the 

 east, a high divide to south, the Flint Creek Range to the west, and 

 the Garnet Range to the north. The DNR&C basin designtion is 76G. Several 

 stream classifications (DHES) are applied in this drainage, primarily 

 due to mining and related industrial activities. 



Forestland ownership in the Deer Lodge Valley is predominantly USFS with 

 limited private and state ownerships along the foothills. In the Garnet 

 Rnage, however, there are extremely intermingled ownership patterns that 

 include: BLM, Champion, Burlington Northern, state, and small private 

 ownerships. 



Water quality problems resulting from si Ivi cultural practices are limited 

 in the Deer Lodge Valley. However, some streams in the Garnet Range 

 and upper reaches of the Little Blackfoot River have sustained degradation. 

 Streambank disturbance and poorly constructed roads by logging operations 

 have created sediment problems in the basin (DHES, 1975). Related water 

 quality problem areas are outlined in Table VI-Bl and located on Plate I. 



The headwaters area of the Clark Fork River drainage experienced substantial 

 timber harvests in the early 1900' s. An area south of Anaconda, Montana, 

 primarily in the Mill Creek watershed, was extensively logged for a coking 

 operation. Natural revegetation has been hampered by fume kills from 

 the Anaconda Company smelter and by fire. Erosion and sedimentation is 



