May 2025 "WTF: Where are the Fish?" Presentation
On May 14, 2025 CFRTAC (with experts from MT FWP, USGS, MT NRDP and MT DEQ) gathered in Deer Lodge to explore causes, theories, and potential solutions for the historic decline of trout in the Upper Clark Fork River basin. The upshot? Like all things Clark Fork, it's complicated, and we're still learning as we go. But we know the decline is more pronounced upstream of Deer Lodge; loss of recruitment is a major culprit; and low flows are not a smoking gun in this case (persistent heavy metals, nutrient pollution, temperature, and habitat loss, degradation, and disturbance are also key limiting factors). Learn more about this meeting here.
February 2025 Superfund Cleanup Update & Public Meeting
CFRTAC joined with DEQ and NRDP to host a public meeting in Feb. 2025 about the status of cleanup activities in Phase 7 near Racetrack Pond, which got underway in January 2025. Attendees also heard updates on progress toward cleanup at Arrowstone Park, and about the recent decline in the brown trout fishery in the Upper Clark Fork. Learn more about this meeting here.
June 25, 2024 Clark Fork River Cleanup Tour Photo Album
Thanks to everyone who attended the June 25, 2024 tour! We visited Phase 7 near Racetrack Pond (where cleanup will begin this fall - see Status page) and Phase 4, an upstream site where cleanup was just completed.
See below for photos from the day, and if you have more questions or comments about the tour or the cleanup, please drop us a line!