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Bitterroot-Frenchtown Valley

Ecoregion in Rocky Mountains, MT

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The Bitterroot-Frenchtown Valley ecoregion is sheltered from high winds and severe weather by surrounding mountains. It is composed of floodplains, terraces, hills, fans, wildlife-rich wetlands, and riparian forests. Thick alluvial and lacustrine deposits are common; moraines and glacial outwash also occur to the south and north, respectively, of Hamilton. Average annual precipitation is 12 to 24 inches; maximums exceed those of more easterly and southerly valleys such as in Ecoregions 17w, 17aa, and 17ak. Climax vegetation is mapped as foothill grasslands and floodplain hardwood forest. The Bitterroot River’s course can be very unstable and small side channels, sloughs, and oxbow lakes are common. However, turbidity is generally low except during the very high stream flows that accompany spring snow melt and summer thunderstorms. Irrigated and nonirrigated agriculture is extensive and, in late summer, parts of the Bitterroot River can be nearly dewatered at major irrigation diversions. Urban, suburban, rural residential, and industrial development are other common land uses.

— EPA

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