Cottonwood-Baggs Fish Passage In the late fall of 2019, the Coalition finished a stream reconnection project on Baggs Creek and Cottonwood Creek in the upper Clark Fork. Eight miles of stream was opened to… Stream Restoration Water Management Wildlife Coexistence Adequate Flow Ecosystem Health Vulnerable Wildlife Upper Clark Fork
Valiton Ditch Split Season Lease Three landowners are working with us to reduce late season water use on the mainstem Clark Fork. They lease CFC their water right from mid-July through August and cease irrigation if flows reach… Water Management Water Monitoring Adequate Flow Flood and Drought Climate Change Ecosystem Health Vulnerable Wildlife Upper Clark Fork
Broken Circle Diversion Upgrade Historically, Broken Circle Ranch rebuilt their irrigation diversion every summer using broken concrete and streambed material, which resulted in passage issues for fish and recreationists. In 2023, the ranch worked with the Coalition to install an innovative floating fish screen and river pump that requires minimal structure in the river… Stream Restoration Water Management Adequate Flow Climate Change Ecosystem Health Vulnerable Wildlife Recreation Upper Clark Fork
Helen-Johnson Ditch Project The Helen Johnson project reduced irrigation withdrawals from the mainstem of the Upper Clark Fork by over 15 cfs on three ranches. It removed a… Stream Restoration Water Management Adequate Flow Ecosystem Health Upper Clark Fork
River Ambassadors During the summer, Missoula River Ambassadors can be spotted at busy river access sites and community events, on popular day-float stretches, and immersed in conservation and restoration projects dotting… Community Programs Research Ecosystem Health Recreation Middle Clark Fork
Clean Smurfit Now The Smurfit-Stone pulp mill operated on the banks of the Clark Fork River near Frenchtown from 1957 to 2010, discharging enormous amounts of wastewater into the river. More than a decade after the mill closed, the 3,200-acre industrial site is still leaching harmful chemicals into the river and our aquifer. Advocacy Superfund Vigilance Research Education Community Programs Pollution Flood and Drought Ecosystem Health Middle Clark Fork
Stonewall Creek We permanently acquired 5 cfs of water rights that reconnect Stonewall Creek to the Blackfoot River year round. The creek supports native westslope cutthroat and brown trout. Water Management Water Monitoring Wildlife Coexistence Adequate Flow Climate Change Flood and Drought Ecosystem Health Vulnerable Wildlife Blackfoot
Keep Cool Creek We permanently acquired 5 cfs of water rights that reconnect Keep Cool Creek to the Blackfoot River year round. Water Management Water Monitoring Wildlife Coexistence Adequate Flow Climate Change Flood and Drought Ecosystem Health Vulnerable Wildlife Blackfoot
West Fork Lee Creek Road Decommissioning and Fish Passage Stream Restoration Wildlife Coexistence Pollution Climate Change Flood and Drought Ecosystem Health Vulnerable Wildlife Bitterroot
Granite Creek Restoration To improve fish passage and reduce chronic stream sedimentation, we upgraded eight undersized culverts along Granite Creek Road. We also installed wood jams in the creek and reclaimed more than ten miles of unneeded forest roads. These projects decrease sedimentation, improve… Stream Restoration Wildlife Coexistence Pollution Adequate Flow Climate Change Flood and Drought Vulnerable Wildlife Bitterroot
Lost Horse Creek Monitoring The Clark Fork Coalition is currently working with the irrigation districts on Lost Horse Creek to monitor flows in the ditches to better understand the water balance on the creek. We are also conducting synoptic… Water Monitoring Water Management Adequate Flow Climate Change Vulnerable Wildlife Ecosystem Health Bitterroot
