Pollution
Water pollution in the Clark Fork ranges from toxic waste to excess nutrients, fine sediment to plastic litter and trash. Legacy contamination from industrial mining pollutes some stretches. Wastewater treatment plants, dense networks of septic system drain fields, and fertilizer-rich storm and agricultural runoff introduce too much nitrogen and phosphorus in other reaches. Fine sediment from eroding forest roads chokes tributary streams. All of these types of pollution impair the health of streams and rivers, negatively affecting people, fisheries, and other flora and fauna that depend on clean water.
Addressing pollution in the watershed requires a multipronged approach, from annual community-based trash cleanups to policy advocacy for better Superfund solutions.
Where are we addressing pollution?
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Mike Horse Mine Cleanup -
Protecting Selenium Standards in Lake Koocanusa -
Dry Cottonwood Creek Ranch -
Annual Clark Fork River Cleanup
You can help
Cleaning up pollution in the Clark Fork River basin is a big job. Support our ongoing efforts across the watershed.