Toxic Compounds Found In Clark Fork River Spark Concerns

The Pollution In The Clark Fork River Is Worse Than Previously Thought

NBC Montana is reporting that Montana FWP biologists took samples from the Clark Fork River from Silver Bow Creek by butte up to Cabinet Gorge Reservoir near the Idaho border including the main tributaries the Flathead, Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers in 2023.

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Montana FWP released results from the water quality study and it shows that the pollution on the Clark Fork River is more than initially believed. Toxic compounds like PCB's, dioxins and furans and toxins from forest fires can be found in the water.

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Back In 2020 A Warning Was Issued From Montana FWP

This is from a press release from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks in 2020:

"Guidance now recommends avoiding consumption of all species of fish from the Clark Fork River’s confluence with the Bitterroot River, just west of Missoula, to the confluence with the Flathead River, near Paradise. Slightly revised guidance is also in place for rainbow trout and northern pike on an upstream section of the Clark Fork and for the Blackfoot and Bitterroot Rivers. New data was collected to assess chemical contaminants including dioxins, furans, and PCBs in fish tissue in a study area on the Clark Fork that extended from approximately 30 miles upstream of Missoula to 100 miles downstream. Testing in the area is underway as part of water quality monitoring around the former Smurfit-Stone Container mill site. Upon review of the study results, new guidance was issued based on high levels of contaminants in the fish tissue.

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As Of Writing, No Definitive Source Of Contamination Has Been Found