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Welcome to the quarterly Flathead River to Lake News.
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This October, MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks purchased 106-acres near Somers, along the north shore of Flathead Lake – an expansive sandy beach at low lake levels, and safe and fun shallow waters to swim and recreate in during high water levels in the summer. On land, wetlands and grasslands on the property provide important habitat and nesting grounds for numerous birds.
The state will develop basic interim visitor amenities to accommodate public use, including a parking lot, portable toilets, waste receptacles, and signage, while working on a long-term vision for the park. In the meantime, the state asks that the public recreate responsibly at the property and follow day-use rules, including no camping or campfires, Leave No Trace, and Pack It In, Pack it Out.
This project was a collaborative effort several decades in the making between the Sliter family, the Flathead Land Trust, and MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Numerous other organizations and individuals stepped forward to help make this project a reality. Thank you! Read more... in the Char-Koosta News.
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This week, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) purchased the 772-acre Bad Rock Canyon Conservation property from the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, now protected as a Wildlife Management Area. The property is located east of Columbia Falls along 1.1 mile of the Flathead River. It is one of the Flathead Valley’s largest remaining undeveloped riverfront properties.
The outpouring of public support during two public comment periods generated over 336 comments, supporting the project. Strong support from public officials in Columbia Falls, Flathead County, and the state (including the Land Board and the Fish and Wildlife Commission) was critical to carry the project forward.
The Flathead Land Trust worked closely with FWP to broker the land deal and with the Flathead Lakers to raise needed funds to match grants secured by FWP. Over 250 individuals donated.
Grants and donations received included Heart of the Rockies Initiative, The Kendeda Fund, Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, AGL Foundation, Cinnabar Foundation, Cross Charitable Foundation, Whitefish Community Foundation, Headwaters Montana, Montana Trout Unlimited, Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited, Flathead Wildlife, Flathead Audubon, and Vital Ground Foundation.
What's next? The Bad Rock Canyon property was purchased with MT Habitat funding, which requires that critical wildlife habitat on the property be protected. The property will close during the winter, from December 2 until May 15th to safeguard critical elk winter range and other wildlife habitat while allowing public access. The project secures permanent public access to the property, including a limited opportunity for hunting and a 3-mile community trail constructed by Gateway to Glacier Trail for use by hikers, bikers, birdwatchers and others.
Thank you for supporting this conservation project!
Amazing things happen when a community comes together.
Read moreL
FWP takes ownership of Bad Rock Wildlife Management Area, Hungry Horse News
FWP adds new wildlife management area, NBC Montana
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks finalizes purchase of 772 acres near Columbia Falls for new Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area
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Land conservation partner highlighted in the news
Laura Katzman, our partner with the Flathead Land Trust, was interviewed recently by Daily Inter Lake reporter, Scott Shindledecker, to tell her path from fish biologist to land conservation specialist, helping landowners achieve their goals with their land while conserving the Flathead's special places.
Read the story in the Daily Inter Lake.
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Friendly Fences on Ashley Creek: Benefits for Water and Wildlife
Terese Lipinski Kashi grew up on Ashley Creek, and remembers fishing for native trout and observing a diversity of wildlife on her property. She has watched the pace of development increase in the Flathead Valley, and pressures on the land and water become more apparent. Flathead Conservation District worked with Terese to install wildlife-friendly fencing that protects the riparian area, while still providing a location for her livestock to water and cross. Additionally, a leaking irrigation system was repaired to conserve water and prevent erosion on the streambank. Click here to see pictures and read the full story by Fiona Handler.
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Krause Creek gets help
In the spring, Krause Creek fills up with melting snow from the Swan Mountains. Historically, the creek, which is northwest of Bigfork, distributed the snowmelt widely across the foothills through numerous shallow channels. However, like many other creeks, Krause Creek was straightened in the past, and all its water was directed to one main channel.
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Now we know that this historical practice caused flooding and severe erosion of the creek's banks. Landowners Doug and Mary Garner approached the Flathead Conservation District in 2015 to see if the district could remediate bank erosion. The District worked with River Design Group to design a low-cost restoration proposal that mimics natural functions, such as beaver dams and other natural ways of dispersing water in the landscape to reduce the destructive force of water eroding the creek banks. Read more about this restoration project in the Flathead Conservation District's website, the Daily Inter Lake, and the Flathead Beacon.
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Watershed Support Program
 for Ashley Creek! The Flathead Conservation District (FCD) is supporting projects that improve water quality in Ashley Creek. Projects may include stream bank stabilization, riparian plantings, livestock fencing and off-site water, and more! Click here to learn more about this program or contact the FCD office at (406) 752-4220.
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