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2. Blackfoot River Drainage 



The Blackfoot River watershed west-central Montana is defined by the 

 Continental Divide to the east, the Garnet Range to the south, and the 

 Mission, Swan, and Continental Ranges to the north. The drainage is 

 tributary to the Clark Fork River at Bonner, Montana. The DNR&C basin 

 designation is 76F, and the entire drainage is classified B-Dj (DHES). 



The Blackfoot River basin is characterized by numerous ownerships including: 

 USPS, BLM, Burlington Northern, Champion, the state (under several adminis- 

 trative agencies), other federal, and small private. Areas of pronounced 

 intermingled ownership are: the upper Blackfoot (near Lincoln), the Garnet 

 Range, and the southern extension of the Mission Range. 



USPS lands cap the Continental Divide and provide the northern limits of 

 the watershed. Timber harvesting has been pursued in the Blackfoot drainage 

 for many years. Near Missoula, extensive harvesting and roadbuilding has 

 occurred, particularly on Champion, Burlington Northern, and USPS owner- 

 ships. The Garnet Range has sustained extensive removal of commercial 

 timber on BLM, Champion, and state ownerships. In addition, the head- 

 waters area of the Blackfoot River is currently being harvested on 

 several ownerships. 



Water quality impacts from si Ivi cultural practices have been numerous 

 throughout the watershed. These are outlined in Table VI-B2 and located 

 on Plate I. The local Conservation Districts have estimated that about 

 six percent of the commercial timber acreage within the Blackfoot River 

 watershed (including the Clearwater River) is contributing to non-point 

 source sediment pollution (1977). Past and present mining activities as 

 well as agricultural practices, are also contributing to the sediment 



