LMF, Lower Mountain Fork River
The Lower Mountain Fork River is a popular canoe and trout stream that runs all summer. Trout are a primitive fish and require more oxygen. Cold water contains much more oxygen than warm water, however smallmouth bass cannot survive in water that is always cold. The hydroelectric generators flush cold water from 60 ft deep at Broken Bow lake down the river therefore exterminating the smallmouth. In mitigation for the loss of the smallmouth fishery the US Congress allotted guaranteed satisfactory conditions for a trout fishery below Broken Bow Lake. The only way to do this is to flush enough cold water down the river to keep the temps below 70 degrees. As the air temps and lake water temps increase in summer the river flow increases. Therefore From July through September the river runs between 500 and 2000 cfs when everything else is bone dry.
The run is 3.2 miles from the Reregulation Dam at Mtn. Fork Park to hwy 70, turn north off 70 -5 miles east of Broken Bow and go 3 miles to the park, or cross the river and go to the Presbyterian Falls area. All the real rapids are in a 1/3 mile area above the falls where the river splits around an island and drops about 15 ft. River left is a rocky creek, river right is a series of ledges and play spots. There is a trail leading back to the top and ample primitive camping on National forest land.
These photos are from July and August 2000 and mostly feature a drop we affectionately call "Bubba"
Sean Miller
Daniel Cullota at Bubba @ 800cfs. 7/28/2000
