Today's Concerns

The history of elk in the Clearwater Basin brings us to our concerns and the objectives of the Clearwater Elk Initiative. In order to preserve the integrity of Idaho's most important elk herd, a concerted partnership effort is needed. We need a coalition of partners to save our elk herd.... NOW. Our primary objective is to work together to create positive population and habitat changes for our elk herd.

If you recreate in the Clearwater Basin, you have a compelling reason to support this Initiative and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Join in the effort to bring back our elk herd!

Alive With History

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the Nez Perce National Historic Trail wind through the middle of the Clearwater Basin, following a ridgeline of the Bitterroot Mountains. Both of these routes follow an ancient trail system that early Indians used to reach the "buffalo country" of the Northern Plains. This mountain travel route eventually became known as the "Lolo Trail". Today the entire Lolo Trail System is a National Historic Landmark.

Blue ribbon streams including North Fork Clearwater River, Selway River, Lochsa River and Kelly Creek are part of this six million-acre basin. Dworshak dam is a major attraction to recreationists and fishermen.

Alive With Wildlife and Fishes

Clearwater country is best known for its wilderness, wild and scenic rivers and as elk country. The basin is characterized by deep forested canyons and high mountain peaks. Clearwater country provides habitat for mountain goats, deer, turkeys, gray wolf, grizzly bear, fisher, bobcats, lynx, wolverine and many more threatened, endangered, sensitive, rare and big game animals.

Coastal Disjunct Plants

The Clearwater canyon has a unique climate. It is generally 10' F warmer in the canyon than the uplands, where most of the wilderness, roadless areas, and managed-forested areas lie. The canyon has a long growing season and rich, fertile, volcanic ash soils. Because of these conditions, the basin contains coastal disjunct plant populations -- plants found on the west coasts of Washington and Oregon. These plants are artifacts left behind when floodwaters from ice age events receded.

Clearwater Elk History

The Clearwater Basin is part of the much larger Rocky Mountain ecosystem. Large fires and elk populations come together in this area. Three large wildfires (1910, 1919, and 1934) created optimum habitat for elk. The population boomed. In 1939 there was a very cold, long winter, the elk population crashed. Idaho Fish and Game officials had to dispose of hundreds of elk along the Lochsa River. Shortly after the die-off, the population rebounded. Hunting pressure increased, thus impacting the population. In 1976 elk harvest state- wide was restricted to bull only from previous either sex seasons. Through the 1980's the population grew to an all time high. However, the 1990's have brought declines. Hunting pressure has steadily increased and herd health has steadily decreased. At the same time, forage in the life-giving shrub fields has diminished. The winter of 1996/97 was another long, cold winter. There were losses of up to 50% of the herd in some Clearwater game units.

The Future of Idaho's Elk Country

You can Make a Difference!

The future includes YOU, your help and cooperation!

We need your help and cooperation. The future is one of partnerships that will allow us to manage populations and habitat together for the benefit of all species. The future includes prescribed fire as a primary tool to achieve our wildlife habitat objectives. To help elk, we need your participation. Innovation is the key to success!

For more information contact:

Art Talsma, Project Coordinator
9908 Wilbeth Lane
Nampa, ID 83686
Phone: (208) 466-0204

Project Ownership: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Clearwater Basin Weed Management Committee, Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game, Idaho Dept. of Lands, Potlatch Corp. Inc., Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, Clearwater Elk Recovery Team and YOU!

Return to Projects

Upcoming Events

• 1/24/2009: InterLakes BGB in Madison, SD
• 1/24/2009: Mission Valley BGB in Polson, MT
• 1/24/2009: Lakeview BGB in Lakeview, OR

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

• Prairie City Aspen Enhancement Project in Prairie City Ranger District, Malheur NF, Prairie City, OR, OR
• Crooked River National Grassland Westside Stewardship Project in Crooked River National Grassland, Madras, OR
• Winom-Frazier / Mt. Emily Road Rehabilitation in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, LaGrande RD, OR

Recent Projects

• Prairie City Aspen Enhancement Project in Prairie City Ranger District, Malheur NF, Prairie City, OR, OR
• Crooked River National Grassland Westside Stewardship Project in Crooked River National Grassland, Madras, OR
• Winom-Frazier / Mt. Emily Road Rehabilitation in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, LaGrande RD, OR