contained more than its share of higt ''.y-valued stream mileage -- 

 17 percent of the state's Outstanding miles and 20 percent of 

 those rated Substantial. 



Scenic quality the most frequently given reason for assigning 

 a high value class, with good fishing not far behind. Restricted 

 access was a reason for lowered value on some segments, but nearly 

 as many others were valued for their good access. Recreational use 

 was described as heavy on 21 percent of the river miles, moderate 

 on 30 percent, and low on 37 percent. Access was rated similarly, 

 with about half of the river miles rated as having moderate or 

 better access and half as limited or restricted. 



Scenic quality was rated as Substantial to Outstanding on 

 about 40 percent of this region's river miles, but as moderate on 

 about 45 percent. The drainage contained many miles rated as 

 providing recreational opportunities in a rural setting. Another 

 400 or so miles provided opportunities for semi-primitive or 

 primitive recreation. 



Fishing from shore was once again the most common recreation 

 activity, a primary use on 75 percent of the segments. Boating was 

 done on at least 25 percent of the segments, although many more 

 reaches are boatable. Of the state's 100 inventoried miles of 

 rapids rated between moderate and major, 20 percent were in the 

 upper Yellowstone River drainage. A wide spectrum of boating 

 opportunities was found, ranging from flat water on 13 percent of 

 the river mileage, minor rapids on 28 percent, and moderate rapids 

 on five percent. Boating did not occur on 68 percent of the 

 segments, although these were the shorter reaches that comprised 

 only 47 percent of the drainage's river miles. Common land-based 

 activities included viewing the scenery, car and tent camping, 

 picnicking, driving, and non-motorized trail use. 



Botanical Features 



The upper Yellowstone River drainage contains 18 botanical 

 natural feature sites, 11 of which received a final value rating 

 of either Class I or Class II. They comprised five percent of the 

 statewide, compared with the average of nine percent for all 12 

 drainages . 



Arid climate, unusual geology, and topographic relief that 

 characterizes the Bighorn and Pryor Mountains of south-central 

 Montana makes this region botanically unique. Two unusual plants 

 found in this area are S ullivantia hapem anii and S hoshonea 

 pulvinata . Both endemic plant species are distributed within the 

 Central Rocky Mountains and only occur on wet limestone rock. The 

 Montana Rare Plants Project has recommended S ullivantia for 

 threatened species status. Shosonea , a recently described member 

 of the parsley family (Apiaceae), occurs at the headwaters of 

 Crooked Creek and Grove Creek. 



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