experiences. The segments inventoried contained 14 percent of the 

 state's miles rated as primitive or semi-primitive, showing the 

 importance of undeveloped river segments in these drainages. 

 Coupled with this low level of development is relatively high 

 levels of public access to the segments. Access was rated as 

 moderate or abundant for 62 percent of the river miles, while only 

 50 percent of the rivers statewide had these levels of access. 



The most popular recreational activity in the headwaters was 

 fishing from shore, a primary activity on nearly 70 percent of the 

 drainage's inventoried river segments. Tent camping was a primary 

 activity on 38 percent, non-motorized trail use on 37 percent, 

 motorized trail use on 34 percent, and car camping on 30 percent. 



A look at this region's water characteristics quickly shows 

 that here flows some of the state's rare Whitewater. Whitewater 

 boating was a primary activity on about 10 percent of the segments 

 and a secondary activity on about nine percent. The entire 

 Gallatin main stem and Bear Trap Canyon on the Madison are well- 

 known among kayakers, rafters, and expert canoeists. But boaters 

 also are starting to float many smaller creeks that provide 

 opportunities for technical Whitewater runs. Statewide, only 74 

 miles of river were rated as containing major, boated rapids; 38 

 percent of these miles were in the Missouri headwaters. Of the 623 

 miles statewide of minor-moderate rapids, the region contained 22 

 percent. 



Then there is the Boulder River, a tributary of the Jefferson 

 that begins near the Continental Divide outside the small 

 community of Basin. Before flowing out into the broader Boulder 

 valley, the river plunges down a narrow canyon. So does the newly- 

 widened Interstate 15, which bridges the river more than 40 times. 

 The river between Basin and Boulder once provided outstanding 

 opportunities for Whitewater boating during spring runoff. Now the 

 value is lower, but the river still offers the unique recreational 

 opportunity to kayak on the median of an Interstate highway. 



Botanical Features 



The Missouri headwaters drainages contain 33 botanical natural 

 feature sites, two of which received a Class I final resource 

 value. Sixteen received a Class II. Two botanical natural 

 feature sites in this drainage are located within U.S. Forest 

 Service wilderness areas. 



Cliff Lake Research Natural Area (RNA) 25 miles west of 

 Yellowstone National Park and just north of the Continental Divide 

 covers 2,291 acres of high rolling benchland (6,000 to 7,000 feet) 

 on ancient volcanoes that rise above Cliff Lake, which was 

 impounded by a glacial moraine. Half of Cliff Lake RNA is timbered 

 with lodgepole pine and Douglas fir 100 to 200 years old. The 

 other half is covered with sagebrush steppe and foothill prairie 



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