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7. Mainstem Clark Fork River Drainage (Middle) 



As the Clark Fork River winds between the Bitterroot Mountains and Ninemile 

 Divide, it receives tributary flows from numerous small streams, as well 

 as larger flows from Ninemile Creek and the St. Regis River. All drainages 

 are within the DNR&C basin designation 76M. Stream waters are classified 

 as B-Di, except for Packer and Silver Creeks (A-Open-Di) of the St. Regis 

 River watershed and Rattlesnake Creek (A-Closed) near Missoula (DHES). 

 The Fish Creek drainage is addressed in a separate section. 



Although most ownership in this area is USFS, there is significant inter- 

 mingled ownership along the Clark Fork River and adjacent slopes (Champion, 

 Burlington Northern, Montana Power, the state, and other small private). 

 Timber harvesting and road construction have occurred on many of these 

 parcels. 



Several water quality impacts resulting from forestry practices have been 

 identified by the DHES, DF&G, and local USFS Ranger Districts and other 

 problem areas are suspected. Table VI-B7 delineates these areas; locations 

 are shown on Plate I. Local Conservation Districts estimate that approxi- 

 mately 12 percent of the comnercial forestland acreage within the mainstem 

 Clark Fork River (middle) drainage is contributing to non-point source 

 sediment pollution (1977). Approximately 70 percent of these problems were 

 considered correctable within the basin (US6S basin 17010204). 



In some areas, several land management activities may be contributing to 

 non-point stream degradation. Ninemile Creek has experienced severe erosion, 

 sedimentation, and habitat deterioration caused by road construction, 

 dredge mining, and logging within the watershed (DF&G in DHES, 1976). 

 Agricultural practices and expanding urbanization may also contribute to 



