Middle Reach

Welcome to the Middle Reach of Montana’s Missouri River. The Middle Reach consists of Blaine, Chouteau, and Fergus Counties. This reach includes the 149-mile stretch of the Missouri that was designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in 1976 as well as the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, which was created by a Presidential Proclamation in 2001. From white cliffs to badlands to volcanic dikes, the geology surrounding the middle reach of the Missouri River is a feast for the eyes. This reach is also celebrated as one of the longest remaining free-flowing stretches across the entire length of the Missouri River.

Middle Reach Stories

Council Now Accepting Applications for a Professional Coordinator

The Missouri River Conservation Districts Council is seeking a full-time professional Coordinator. Must have a bachelors degree or equivalent experience in a natural resource, public administration, or related field; and at least three years experience working with diverse clientele, building consensus, managing multiple project goals and resolving complex problems. In-state and out-of-state travel is necessary. Salary $40,000 - $50,000/year DOQ. Applications due May 27th to the Council office at 1601 2nd Avenue North, Ste. 601, Great Falls, MT 59401.

Quarterly Meeting Notice

Restored portion of O'Dell Creek 2006
The Council's next Quarterly Meeting will be April 8th, 2010 beginning at 9:00 AM with a tour of the Granger Ranch O'Dell Creek restoration project. If you'd like to attend, meet us at the Granger Ranch entrance, 6 miles south of Ennis on the west side of Highway 287. More about the project from "Restoring the Treasure" video presented by PPL Montana: “Drained to improve grazing and hay production in the 1950s, thousands of wetland acres along O’Dell Creek were converted to dry uplands.

Coming soon to a theater near you…..

A documentary of homesteaders and their families who have persevered for generations in the area now known as the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument is in the final stages of production.  The film, entitled “Pride and Perseverance” will be available at the BLM Interpretive Center in Fort Benton.  The documentary features several local families, including those of two Council Members in that area — Rick Anderson and Dana Darlington.

Marias River Stream Corridor Assessment Released

In May 2008, the Marias River Watershed group proudly released their comprehensive assessment of the Marias River, one of the Missouri River’s main tributaries in the Middle Reach.  Funding for the assessment of the lower portion, from the Circle Bridge to the Marias’ confluence with the Missouri River, was provided by the Missouri River Conservation Districts Council.

Marias River Stream Corridor Assessment Released

In May 2008, the Marias River Watershed group proudly released their comprehensive assessment of the Marias River, one of the Missouri River’s main tributaries in the Middle Reach.  Funding for the assessment of the lower portion, from the Circle Bridge to the Marias’ confluence with the Missouri River, was provided by the Missouri River Conservation Districts Council.

Early Homesteaders, Local Ranches, and Communities Focus of BLM Video Project

The Council is proud and honored to support the BLM’s video and interpretive display of the historic settlement of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Long before the area was proclaimed a National Monument in 2001, families like the Darlingtons, Andersons, Wortmans, and others recognized the unique beauty and splendor of the Middle Reach, bringing their families here in the early 1900s and creating a heritage of hard work, respect for the land, and dedication to the rural communities they helped establish.

A Successful River Rendezvous

The Council’s 1st Annual River Rendezvous was a huge success, bringing landowners, agency representatives, and special interest groups together to spend time on the river, discuss river issues, and learn about new federal programs that can help achieve conservation goals throughout the river corridor.  Thanks to the ingenuity and persistence of the BLM’s Wade Brown, the high water and closure of the Fort Benton boat launch didn’t stop the boat tour, which was moved instead to the Wood Bottom boat launch.  Coming back with tales of weed infestations, potential CREP pro

Save the Date—June 19th

The Missouri River Conservation Districts Council’s 1st annual Missouri River Rendezvous is set for June 19th in Fort Benton. This premier event will kick off the newly-amended Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP—see Page 2) and raise awareness of the federal management programs and partnership opportunities impacting landowners and river users throughout Montana’s Missouri River Corridor.

CREP Amendment Approved!

Taking care of riparian areas, like this one in Chouteau County, will be easier with the amended CREP.

After what has seemed like years of meetings, conference calls, presentations, phone calls, and letters, Montana’s $57 million Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) has been amended to make it more user-friendly. CREP assists farmers and ranchers in improving the water quality within a two-mile wide corridor long the Missouri and Madison River systems. The total project area reaches more than 500 miles from Hebgen Dam to the Fred Robinson Bridge, encompassing over 338,000 private land acres.

Letter of Support for the City of Fort Benton’s Reclamation Efforts

In March, the Council issued a letter of support for the City of Fort Benton’s application for a DNRC Reclamation and Development Grant to fund the investigation and reclamation of a parcel of property along the Missouri River. The project fits well with the Council’s goal to “Enhance Community Involvement in River Stewardship”.

March 26, 2008

Mayor Rick Morris
City of Fort Benton
P.O. Box 8
Fort Benton, MT 59442
RE: Fort Benton Public Parcel Reclamation

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