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<br />grassland types occur, and ribbons of flood plain forests and
<br />woodlands occur along major streams such as the Missouri, Milk
<br />and Musselshell Rivers. Ponderosa pine or juniper woodlands
<br />also occur along river breaks and badlands, but are most exten-
<br />sive in the upper Fort Peck and Musselshell drainage area. Areas
<br />ot croplands, usually under crop fallow systems, are dispersed
<br />within the grassland ecosystems in varying degrees, depending
<br />upon extent of favorable climate, topography and soils. In the Fort
<br />Peck area, antelope populations are second in extent only to
<br />those found in eastern Wyoming and in other favorable plains
<br />habitat. Populations of prairie grouse, wild turkey and native
<br />prairie species are relatively stable. In recent years, however,
<br />mule deer numbers have dropped slightly throughout the plains
<br />area for unknown reasons. Populations of bighorn sheep and elk
<br />have flourished within the Charles M. Russell National Game
<br />Range, while populations of the endangered black-footed ferret,
<br />American peregrine falcon, and northern swift fox could likely
<br />occur in several different regions.
<br />
<br />In the predominately mountainous western region,
<br />ecosystems have a more diverse vegetation including higher,
<br />distinct zonation patterns and varying vegetational structure. Var-
<br />ious grassland types occur in the valleys while forests of pon-
<br />derosa pine, Douglas fir, subalpine fir and spruce occur at suc-
<br />cessively higher altitudes. Alpine meadows occur at the highest
<br />elevations in most mountain ranges. Forests of aspen and
<br />lodgepole pine are found over a broad range of altitude, but
<br />especially on disturbed lands having a history of fires or logging.
<br />Nationally significant populations 01 elk, bighorn sheep, and
<br />mountain goat occur in several mountainous areas, but espe-
<br />cially in the general region of Glacier National Park and the
<br />Gallatin National Forest. Significant populations of black bear,
<br />mule deer and mountain grouse are more wide spread. Rare
<br />predators include the mountain lion, fisher, pine marten, wol-
<br />verine and the Canadian lynx, while endangered or threatened
<br />species include several species of plants, the American pereg-
<br />rine falcon, the northern Rocky Mountain wolf and the grizzly
<br />bear. Croplands are limited to intermontane areas and valleys
<br />and are important for wildlife where favorable interspersion oc-
<br />curs. Important game include native species which have moder-
<br />ate tolerance to human intrusion, especially deer, and various
<br />exotics such as ring- necked pheasant and Hungarian partridge.
<br />
<br />Aquatic Biological Resources
<br />
<br />This region also has a wide diversity of aquatic ecosys-
<br />tems including cold and warm water streams, alpine lakes,
<br />prairie-pothole complexes, many attractive reservoirs and
<br />thousands of stock ponds.
<br />
<br />In the western mountainous area, cold-water streams
<br />such as the Madison, Gallatin and Bighole Rivers are of national
<br />significance for sport fishing. Other streams, although secondary
<br />in importance, also meet much stream fishing demand, including
<br />the Ruby, Smith, Dearborn, Red Rock, Sun, Jefferson and Mis-
<br />souri Rivers. Cutthroat, rainbow, golden, brook, and brown trout
<br />can be found in many streams.
<br />
<br />
<br />Trout fishing on Tiber Reservoir, Montana
<br />
<br />Fishery resources of reservoirs and warm water streams
<br />are generally of good quality and are adequate to meet projected
<br />demands, providing degradation of the existing base does not
<br />occur due to continuing mineral and agricultural development.
<br />Important species include northern pike, walleye, channel catfish,
<br />yellow perch, and several species of centrarchids.
<br />
<br />Natural wetlands are found across extensive plains areas
<br />north of the Missouri River and more locally are found along the
<br />confluences of major rivers such as the Missouri, Milk, and Mus-
<br />selshell. Wetlands, especially in the prairie-pothole region 01 the
<br />northeast, and certain reaches of Missouri River above and below
<br />Fort Peck Reservoir, are nationally important for production of
<br />waterfowl, including Canadian geese. In the past, waterfowl
<br />populations have been enhanced slightly due to stable or im-
<br />proved habitat conditions, including the development of over
<br />60,000 stock ponds.
<br />
<br />Natural, Aesthetic and Cultural Resources
<br />
<br />This subbasin has exceptional natural and aesthetic re-
<br />sources. Features include wooded river valleys containing free.
<br />flowing waters; badlands areas; high mountain ranges and
<br />forested landscapes; and many historical and cultural sites. Many
<br />outstanding resources have already been acquired and protected
<br />through the existing systems of national parks, wilderness areas,
<br />national torests and national wildlife refuges, but many other
<br />potential acquisitions exist. A 175-mile reach of the Missouri
<br />River, for example, has been recently designated as a compo-
<br />nent of the National Wild and Scenic River System, and a seg-
<br />ment of the Madison River between Earthquake Lake and Ennis
<br />has outstanding wild and scenic values. Existing natural resource
<br />areas with further potentials include the C.M. Russell, U.L. Bend,
<br />Medicine Lake, and Red Rock National Wildlife Refuges, and
<br />several areas within national resource (Bureau of Land Manage-
<br />ment) and national forest (Forest Service) lands. Furtherpotential
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