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Middle Clark Fork River Basin 



From the mouth of the Blackfoot River to the Flathead River confluence, 

 the Clark Fork receives waters from large areas of forestland. The USFS 

 is, by far, the largest forest landowner in this drainage segment 

 (Bitterroot, Lolo, and Kanisksy National Forests). There are also areas 

 of non-USFS forestland ownership. Timber harvesting has occurred and 

 will continue throughout the drainage. Numerous related water quality 

 impacts have been identified. 



6. Bitterroot River Drainage 



The Bitterroot River is tributary to the Clark Fork River approximately 

 five miles west of Missoula, Montana. The elongate drainage (north-south) 

 is defined by the Sapphire Mountains to the east, the Bitterroot Range 

 to the west and southwest, and the Anaconda Range to the southeast. The 

 DNR&C drainage basin identification number is 76H; all streams are classed 

 as B-Di waters (DHES). 



Forestland ownership within the Bitterroot River drainage is predominantly 

 USFS. In the headwater areas (East and West Forks of the Bitterroot 

 River) private and state ownership is limited to the narrow valley bottoms 

 (predominantly patented mining claims) and Ross Hole. In the lower 

 reaches there are minor amounts of non-USFS forestlands located along the 

 foothills. The Lolo Creek and Miller Creek watersheds contain mixed 

 ownerships (USFS, private, state). 



The Bitterroot drainage has sustained extensive timber harvesting, road 

 construction, and other silvicultural treatments on USFS lands. The 

 impact of these forestry practices was the stimulus for national controversy 

 regarding the administration of public lands (late 1960's to early 1970's). 

 Some of the affected watersheds may contain non-USFS lands where additional 



