The Clark Fork River and its tributaries drain most of western Montana. The upper river and headwaters were heavily impacted by wastes from over a century of mining. Today, the area is the largest Superfund environmental clean-up site in the nation.
-May 28: Deadline for public comments on Anaconda area Superfund sites.
-June 1: CFWEP Field Trip with Deer Lodge School.
-June 4-6: Butte: The Original film showings at the Motherlode Theatre in Butte.
-June 1: CFWEP Field Trip with Deer Lodge School.
-June 4-6: Butte: The Original film showings at the Motherlode Theatre in Butte.
Clark Fork Info > History
Historically, mine tailings, fine grained waste from ore processing, was "slurried" with water and dumped into Silver Bow Creek, the headwaters of the Clark Fork River.
From the discovery of gold on Silver Bow Creek, the primary headwater creek for the Clark Fork River, in the 1860's, the Clark Fork River and surrounding ecosystems have been heavily impacted by mining and smelting. Use the links below to explore the history and environment of western Montana, from traditional native history through the present-day restoration of the basin.
Pre-1860: Geology and Native Peoples
1860's: Gold, Silver and Early Mining
1870's-1900's: Copper and Development
Historically, mine tailings, fine grained waste from ore processing, was "slurried" with water and dumped into Silver Bow Creek, the headwaters of the Clark Fork River.