Middle Fork Clearwater River

Idaho

The Middle Fork of the Clearwater River System is formed by two main forks, the Lochsa and Selway rivers. These tributaries rise on the west slopes of the rugged Bitterroot Mountains in north-central Idaho and constitute the major river drainage north of the Salmon River.

The exceptionally pure, clear, clean water of this river system and the surrounding forest ecosystem provides a wide variety of cultural, recreational, scenic, historical, and natural opportunities for visitors.

Recreational
Wild
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Designated Reach

October 2, 1968. The Middle Fork from the town of Kooskia upstream to the town of Lowell. The Lochsa River from its confluence with the Selway River at Lowell (forming the Middle Fork) upstream to the Powell Ranger Station. The Selway River from Lowell upstream to its origin.

Outstandingly Remarkable Values

Botany

Mild temperatures and abundant rainfall harbor a rare forest ecosystem that is a globally unique combination of Pacific coastal and Rocky Mountain biotic elements. The Middle Fork Clearwater canyons support relics of a 25-million-year-old Miocene flora that once extended across the northwest, bef...Show More

Fish

The Middle Fork of the Clearwater River and its tributaries play a vital role in management of sensitive, threatened, and endangered fish species, including steelhead trout and bull trout. The Middle Fork Subbasin is considered a core area for recovery of at-risk salmonids in the upper Columbia R...Show More

History

Numerous historic activities and events have occurred in the river corridor, including:

During the Nez Perce War of 1877, Chief Joseph and nearly 750 Nez Perce fled General Howard's army along this trail to reach the Bitterroot Valley. The Lolo Trail National Historic Landmark is located ...Show More

Native American Traditional Use

One of the most significant historical aspects of the Middle Fork is that it the home and traditional use area of the Looking Glass Band of Nez Perce. The rivers are part of the lands ceded by the Nez Perce Tribe in the Treaty of 1855. The treaty reserved the rights of the Tribe to fish, hunt, ga...Show More

Prehistory

Native American people, mostly the Nez Perce, have inhabited and travelled the Middle Fork of the Clearwater for millennia; studies indicate that humans have used this area for 10,000 years. The Lochsa River roughly parallels the “Lolo Trail” which was used by Native Americans as a travel and tra...Show More

Recreation

Diverse recreation opportunities abound, with numerous dispersed and developed recreation sites along the Middle Fork. Easily accessible from the scenic Lewis and Clark Highway, the river corridor provides for sightseeing, day use, developed and disperse camping, fishing, hunting, swimming, and h...Show More

Scenery

The Middle Fork has a much broader river canyon than its tributaries and is wider and slower moving. The hillsides surrounding the river are rounded and covered to the north by dry grasslands and ponderosa pine forest and to the south by Douglas fir and western red cedar. Near Syringa, Idaho the ...Show More

Water Quality

All three rivers have exceptionally pure, clear, clean water. The waters are “unusually clear,” except during high run-off and heavy storms. Previous studies found that the “unusually clear” water is one of the principal attractions of the river. The water quality of the Lochsa River is extremely...Show More

Wildlife

The river corridor provides a diversity of high-quality habitat for wildlife of national or regional significance. Most species rely on habitat conditions alternated by large-scale forest disturbances, particularly fire. The river corridor and adjacent areas provide habitat for ESA listed species...Show More

Classification/Mileage

Recreational Wild
Recreational — 131 miles; Wild — 54 miles; Total — 185 miles.
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