Clark Fork Infected

Sun., Nov. 30, 1997

Associated Press

Whirling disease

Whirling disease has turned up in several young rainbow trout that were being used to determine the impact of metal-laden sediments on fish in the Clark Fork River.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department officials said the disease also has been confirmed for the first time in the Blackfoot River.

Whirling disease can kill trout and salmon through a parasite that consumes the cartilage of young fish. There is no known cure.

Don Skaar, a state pollution control biologist, said the work on the Clark Fork focused on determining how the fishery is affected by toxic sediments scoured from behind the Milltown Dam during high flows.

But, he said, “in addition to our metals study, we tested some fish for whirling disease and those tests showed the parasite is active in the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers.

“At this point, however, it’s really too early to draw any conclusions about how the wild trout populations are being affected,” Skaar said.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.