The Middle Clark Fork Watershed (HUC 17010204) is located in western Montana and covers an area of approximately 6,857 square kilometers. The watershed is characterized by a diverse hydrology, ranging from high elevation snowpack to lowland wetlands, and includes several large reservoirs. The snowpack in the watershed is typically heaviest in the higher elevations and melts gradually throughout the spring and summer months, contributing to the surface water flow. The surface water in the watershed is used for irrigation, recreation, and municipal water supply. The reservoirs in the area contain a variety of constituents, including sediment, nutrients, and dissolved minerals. The climate in the watershed is generally characterized by cold winters and warm summers, with average annual precipitation of around 30 inches. In recent years, there has been a trend towards earlier snowmelt, which has implications for water availability throughout the year.