ARaiULSXRFAMS. 



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Watersheds, Geology, and Climate 



Montana's streams are as diverse as the landscapes through which they 

 floiv—from the forested mountains to the grassy plains. 



M 



hen a 

 stream 



flows 

 through a steep, 

 narrow valley, it 

 runs relatively 

 straight and fast, 

 cascading and 

 scouring out pools 



Some streams flo 

 slowly through 

 wide, flat valleys. 

 Wetlands and 

 riparian areas 

 form along the 

 banks and occupy 

 floodplains, 

 creating rich 

 streamside habitat 

 Stream banks are 

 of finer-textured 

 soils, hold more 

 water, and may 

 support a greater 

 diversity of 

 vegetation than 

 high mountain 

 streams. 





