The Rattlesnake watershed encompasses an area of approximately 81 square miles (51,850 acres) and flows approximately 23 miles.  The upper 20 miles of the creek is within the Rattlesnake Wilderness and National Recreation Area and provides excellent fisheries habitat.  The lower five miles of Rattlesnake Creek flows through developed land and finally meets the Clark Fork in the city of Missoula.

Background:

• Fisheries: Native fisheries habitat: Strong populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Bull Trout
• Impacts: The lower 5 miles of urban landscape has created a number of conditions that have negatively affected fish populations. Instream habitat complexity has been severely compromised due to:

- Channel straightening

- Levee construction to control flooding

- Side channel removal and/or degradation

- Removal of large woody debris

- Entrainment of juvenile fish in unscreened irrigation ditches

- Low flows during spawning seasons (late summer)

• Status: Although the lower 5 miles are not listed as dewatered by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, flow is regarded as a limiting factor for Bull Trout recruitment in Rattlesnake Creek. Previous and ongoing restoration work by Lolo National Forest and Trout Unlimited includes the installation fish ladders and fish screens, and restoration of habitat.

Our Work:

• Monitoring streamflow and temperatures with automated devices that continuously record measurements every 30 minutes.
• Monitoring basic water quality at 3 sites along Rattlesnake Creek (pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity) weekly.
• Assisting with monthly monitoring of water quality (nutrients).
• Partnering with Trout Unlimited and the Rattlesnake Watershed Group to promote awareness of water and fisheries issues in the Rattlesnake Watershed.

Coalition Monitoring Network on Rattlesnake Creek

Project Details

(corresponding to numbered map locations)

1 - Rattlesnake Trailhead :  monitoring for baseline information

Duration:  1 Year  (2008 - present)

Location: 4.7 miles upstream from confluence with the Clark Fork River

Value:  This monitoring point is upstream from all 6 irrigation diversions and developed land, giving a picture of relatively unaltered conditions of Rattlesnake Creek.

2 - Pineview Park:  monitoring for baseline information

Duration:  1 Year  (2008 - present)

Location:  1.8 miles upstream from confluence with the Clark Fork River

Value:  This monitoring point is located about 3 miles downstream of both developed land and irrigation diversions.

3 - Rattlesnake Mouth:  monitoring for baseline information

Duration:  1 Year  (2008 - present)

Location: Near confluence with the Clark Fork River

Value:  This monitoring point is located at the mouth of Rattlesnake Creek, downstream of urban runoff, developed land and irrigation diversions.