photo by Cara Barnhil

Primary Management Objectives

• Protect and enhance important wildlife values
• Restore and enhance critical elements of stream and riparian habitat
• Work cooperatively with local irrigators to ensure minimal stream flows and encourage appropriate stream flow
• management to protect the aquatic natural community
• Own and manage the Flat Ranch as a productive, viable cattle operation and demonstrate that ranching and wildlife
• habitat protection are compatible for private landowners
• Provide public access, education and recreational opportunities to visitors and members of the community
• Restoration Activities
• revegetation (streambank willow planting)
• riparian fencing
• wetland restoration
• development of efficient stock watering systems

History

Flat Ranch Visitors Center photo by Cara Barnhill

Landscape and Wildlife
Mountains in three directions and the Targhee National Forest provide a stunning backdrop for the Upper Henry's Fork Basin—also known as the Henry's Lake "Flats". Montana's Centennial Mountains border the basin on the west while the Henry's Lake Mountains border it to the north and east. At the core of the Henry's Lake Flats lies the Conservancy's Flat Ranch, featuring open grasslands, extensive wetland complexes, over four miles of river and five tributary spring creeks.

The unique habitat of the Henry's Lake Flats supports a large number of wildlife species including Pronghorn, deer, elk and moose. The Flats also provide a critical migration corridor for many big game herds moving from their summer range in the Yellowstone high country to their winter range in the lower Henry's Fork valley. Ducks and geese raise their young in the spring creeks, Sandhill cranes and long-billed curlews feed and nest in the grasslands and migratory songbirds inhabit the riparian willows. Raptors, including Peregrine falcon, cruise the skies for prey.

The nutirent-rich waters of the river and tributaries support aquatic insects and historically sustained healthy populations of the now imperiled Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Rainbow and brook trout also swim these waters. In the river's lower sections, kokanee salmon can be seen during fall spawning runs.

Grazing
The grasslands and wet meadows of the Flat Ranch provide excellent summer range for cattle grazing. The Conservancy has implemented a closely monitored, rotational grazing program that incorporates 12 fenced pastures. Cows and cowboys are a familiar site on the ranch where riding the herd is important to optimize a short 116-day grazing season.

Public Use
The Conservancy welcomes public use of the ranch for boating, fishing or hiking. Boaters can access the river and the ranch from a put-in at the "Outlet" Bridge on Highway 20 and can get out at the Big Springs Loop Road Bridge. For fishing and hiking, access is available by a trail system originating at the visitors center. State fishing regulations apply to the river. Please practice catch and release, particularly with cutthroat trout.

Please be cautious at fence crossings since barbed wire and electric fencing can be dangerous. Visitors center staff are available to help you locate the user-friendly fence crossings on the ranch. Please respect our neighbors privacy by staying within our property boundaries. Camping and motorized vehicles are not allowed.

Donations
The Flat Ranch is supported by individuals and organizations like you. Please send your tax deductable donation to:

The Nature Conservancy
Upper Henry's Fork Project
116 1st Ave., North
Hailey, ID 83333

Map
Contact Matt Miller (m_miller@tnc.org) for a map of the property