Education
What Is A Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains rainwater or snow into one location such as a stream, lake, or wetland.
These water bodies supply our drinking water, water for agriculture and manufacturing, offer opportunities for recreation like rafting and fishing, and provide habitat to numerous plants and animals.
What Is My Watershed?
From the high peaks of the Montana/Idaho border to the Bitterroot River Valley, the Lolo Creek Watershed spans a culturally rich and biologically diverse landscape. Historically traversed by the Nez Perce, other Native American tribes, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, this northernmost tributary of the Bitterroot watershed ultimately flows into the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean.
Covering 175,484 acres (274 square miles), the watershed lies in the Bitterroot Mountains southwest of Missoula, Montana. Lolo Creek begins near Lolo Pass at 5,235 feet and flows 37 miles east to its confluence with the Bitterroot River at 3,150 feet, with its highest point at Lolo Peak (9,075 feet). Its narrow, V-shaped upper valley broadens downstream, but steep, erodible hillsides and mixed sedimentary and granitic soils define the terrain.
Our Challenges
The health of the Lolo Watershed faces numerous contemporary challenges. Excessive sediment loading (residue deposited in or around waterway) from erosion and the adjacent highway, chronic dewatering of the lower stream, changing precipitation and snowpack conditions, growing demand for surface and groundwater use, and increased wildfire risks compound pressures on the ecosystem. Data indicates a loss of native fish, fragmenting wildlife habitat (including winter range for deer and elk), and the increased frequency of stream dewatering as key indicators emphasizing the need for action.
What Can I Do?
Our Main Programs
We will build on the past and expand efforts by collaborating with all interests who share our vision and mission. We will advocate on clean, cold, complex, and connected stream systems and work to improve water quality, stream flows, aquatic fish habitat, riparian health, and natural stream process. We will also work on weeds, wildlife habitat, and land conservation through outreach and education.
Kids Fly Fishing Education Day
Kids are invited to get a hands-on learning experience from fly fishing experts. This event will teach kids fly-knot tying, casting techniques, safe fish handling, and more! This event is intended for kids 7+ but all are welcome to participate.
Outside Field Trip
