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 McWenneger Slough, an oxbow lake formed by the Flathead River, is a magnificent complex of wetlands and riparian forests. McWenneger Slough is privately owned and is located east of Evergreen and the Flathead River. Views of the wetland can be seen to the north of Highway 35 and to the east of Columbia Falls Stage Road. The land surrounding McWenneger Slough has been in family farms for several generations. One of the major landowners speaks not only of the beauty of the area, but the unique wildlife and plants he has observed over the years.
You may have read in our previous newsletters about the Weaver and McWenneger Sloughs Project. This collaborative effort, led by the Flathead Land Trust, is now showing results that help achieve the goals of the Critical Lands Project and provide long-term protection for water quality as well as wildlife habitat, recreation and scenic beauty.
Success in securing fisheries mitigation funds from the Bonneville Power Administration is allowing the purchase of development rights in the form of a perpetual conservation easement on the Beutchel property. The Flathead Lakers thank the Beutchels for their dedication to protecting this critical area.
There are 300 acres of wetlands and riparian forests associated with McWenneger Slough. The wetland is particularly significant for wildlife. It is connected to the riparian corridor along the Flathead River, providing summer habitat for migratory waterfowl, common loons, trumpeter swans, neo-tropical migrants and resident birds such as pileated woodpeckers and kingfishers, as well as nesting sites for Canada geese.
One of seven mature cottonwood forests along the Flathead River between Columbia Falls and Flathead Lake is found at McWenneger Slough. Jack Stanford, Director of the Flathead Lake Biological Station, pointed out the importance of cottonwood trees as indicators of healthy riparian areas and floodplains. These areas help maintain clean water in rivers and lakes by filtering out sediments, providing soil stability, and slowing water flow, thus reducing potential flooding.
Many land owners recognize the significance of conserving the riparian corridor and associated wetlands along the Flathead River. Protecting a major portion of McWenneger Slough is a first, important achievement in the Critical Lands Project's long-range strategy to protect priority riparian areas and wetlands that are important for keeping Flathead Lake and its tributaries clean and healthy.
-- Constanza von der Pahlen
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