Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Of Special Concern
Lewis and Clark Nature Trail
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2019
1. Of Special Concern Marker
Captions: (on the right, top to bottom)
Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhymchus clarkia lewisii)
Westslope cutthroat trout are quick to stick, and easier to catch than rainbow and brown trout. Anglers are required to release any fish they catch to ensure the species' survival.
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mukiss)
Introduced rainbow trout hybrid with the westslope cutthroat trout, making it difficult to conserve the natives.
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Introduced brook trout out-compete young westslope cutthroat trout for food, and have caused local extinctions of the native species.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhymchus clarkia lewisii)
Westslope cutthroat trout are quick to stick, and easier to catch than rainbow and brown trout. Anglers are required to release any fish they catch to ensure the species' survival.
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mukiss)
Introduced rainbow trout hybrid with the westslope cutthroat trout, making it difficult to conserve the natives.
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Introduced brook trout out-compete young westslope cutthroat trout for food, and have caused local extinctions of the native species.
"These trout...precisely resemble our mountain or speckled trout, but the specks on these are of a deep black." - Meriwether Lewis, June 13, 1805
Range of the Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Genetically-our westslope trout are found in less than 5% of their historic range in the Missouri River drainage. Most of these remnant populations are small, isolated, and in danger of extinction.
Troublesome Traveling Companions
Humans carry plants and animals with them wherever they settle. From cats in Australia to kudzu in Alabama or pigs in Hawaii, introduced plants and animals have radically changed local colonies and, in some cases, driven native species to extinction.
Brook, brown, and rainbow trout were introduced to Montana waters in the 1880s. Over fishing of native trout by hungry settlers had reduced their numbers to a point where some action was thought necessary.
Strategies to restore the native species include stocking currently-fishless headwaters areas and building barriers to protect existing populations.
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 13, 1805.
Location. 47° 31.931′ N, 111° 13.973′ W. Marker is in Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. Marker can be reached from Giant Springs Road near River Drive North, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4201 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls MT 59405, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. One of Many Firsts (within shouting distance of this marker); The Army's Navy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Giant Fountain (approx. 0.2 miles away); A "great" Set of Falls (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pure Springs Along the Missouri River (approx. 0.2 miles away); These Springs Have Witnessed... (approx. 0.2 miles away); Where Does the Water Come From? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seaman: Companion to the Corps (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Falls.
More about this marker. This marker is located on the River's Edge Trail below the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2019
2. Of Special Concern Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 29, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
