Upper Blackfoot Confluence

A Conservation Partnership

Ours is an unlikely partnership of three mining companies and two conservation groups forged to improve the fishery and watershed health of Idaho’s Upper Blackfoot River.

Historically, the Upper Blackfoot River, a part of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, supported thriving populations of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Over the years, however, human activity has degraded key river habitat and fish populations have declined.

Each UBC partner shares a strong commitment to restoring what has been a premier habitat for native Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Our restoration projects demonstrate that commitment. These projects, which include replacing old irrigation diversions with fish friendly structures; fencing cattle off of streams; and restoring stream banks, native vegetation, and meander patterns, have opened 25 miles of historic spawning habitat and improved the health of the Upper Blackfoot River.

All of our projects are identified and prioritized according to rigorous assessments of habitat conditions and fish passage obstacles as well as analyses of available data on fish populations.

We don’t work alone. Since our inception in 2012, we’ve worked collaboratively with local landowners and ranchers, federal and state government agencies, and tribes. Furthermore, we’ve enhanced the impact of our restoration projects through collaboration with these partners on complimentary projects of their own.