Water and Wildlife

Early settlers describe the Kootenai River Valley as a maze of swamps, flooded forests and swarms of mosquitos. But the area is home to a multitude of wildlife observable to the curious onlooker as well. From mosquitoes to bald eagles, the Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management Area just about has it all.

Paul Flinn, a longtime Boundary County resident and history buff, corroborates this description with his comments in the “History of Boundary County Idaho,” "Few are the places which could match numbers and appetites of the Kootenai Valley mosquitoes. Overflowed valley lands made the habitat ideal, and there never seemed a better breeding place for mosquitoes than this valley."

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, homesteaders greatly reduced the number of mosquitos by diking, ditching and draining the Kootenai River Valley in an effort to transform the sodden ground into grazing pastures and farm fields. Although successful with ditching and draining, flooding continued until the Libby Dam in Montana was completed in 1973.

A.J. Klockman, a businessman from Germany, homesteaded on the land that is now the Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management Area (BSC). Klockman believed that “exceptionally good and fertile land is the foundation of all wealth” and, therefore, began ditching and diking the property following methods he observed in Holland and Germany. He diked along Boundary Creek, which is adjacent to the Canadian border, from the Kootenai River to the Selkirk Mountain foothills in an effort to protect his “Colony Ranch” from flooding. The dike and adjacent old road can still be distinguished along the creek. Klockman’s ranch house was located near where the BSC headquarters building is located today.

Although the land was divided and had new owners, farming continued until the late 1990s and early 2000s. Then, through a series of federal, state, and private programs, the land transferred ownership to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and was restored to a 2,072-acre mosaic of wetlands, riparian habitat, and upland forest.

Because the Kootenai River is controlled by the Libby Dam, and Boundary and Smith Creeks have been diked to prevent flooding, water is diverted from Boundary Creek in the spring through an irrigation gate to fill the wetlands. Runoff and precipitation supplement the diverted water. Current management focuses on enhancing and maintaining wetland habitats (such as forest and scrub-shrub), grass-forb habitat and mixed conifer forest habitat to showcase important wildlife habitat and offer recreational opportunities to the public.

To get there, drive 14 miles north of Bonners Ferry to the Highway 95/Highway 1 junction and turn left onto Highway 1. Travel for about two miles to the Copeland Road turn off on your left (there is a “Sportsman’s Access” sign pointing toward Copeland). Follow Copeland Road for about four miles across the Kootenai River Valley to Westside Road. Turn right on Westside Road. After about 7.5 miles you will see the Smith Creek access to BSC on your right. There is parking, a picnic area, and restrooms here. Continuing up Westside Road to a hairpin turn, about 1.5 miles from the Smith Creek access, turn right, at the grizzly bear sign, onto the Boundary Creek Road. Stay to the right and follow the road down to the BSC. There are parking areas, a picnic area, and a restroom there as well.

Immediately after turning right onto Boundary Creek Road, there is a pullout on the right. Pull over here and follow the short trail through the woods to the rock ledge overlook for a bird’s eye view BSC. This is an excellent spot to take in all of the management area, and a great place to scan for wildlife before making your way down the hill. Make sure you have a pair of binoculars with you!

If you plan on exploring the mowed paths that meander through BSC, the overlook is a great spot to survey your route. The mowed paths have entry points from either access location. Also, from the overlook, you can easily spot the larger wildlife species such as moose, elk, or deer, all of which are frequently found here. You may also catch sight of a cougar, bobcat or bear. I have spotted bobcat here several times and cougars twice. It is not unusual to see black bears; however, look closely because grizzly bears visit the area on rare occasions. Make sure you know the difference, and if a bear is scrounging where you want to go, pick a different spot or wait until it leaves.

Fourteen of IDFG’s wildlife management areas, including BSC, have been identified as important bird areas. Because of the diverse habitat, a variety of species can be found on BSC including raptors, shorebirds, songbirds, upland birds, waterbirds and waterfowl. If you're a birder working on your “Big Year” tally or want to check off several species on your life list, come in the spring or early summer. The early morning hours offer the best chance to observe wildlife and listen to the raucous choir of bird calls and songs.

Waterfowl, shorebirds and waterbirds are found in abundance throughout BSC during the spring nesting and rearing season. Fall migration is also a great time to observe waterfowl. There are numerous locations along the mowed paths that offer viewing and listening opportunities. As you take in the avian activity, you may also spot some smaller mammals like muskrat, mink or raccoon.

Raptors such as northern harriers are frequently seen gliding over the wetlands and meadows. Red-tailed, rough-legged and sharp-shinned hawks make their home here too, utilizing the meadow and forest habitats. Barred and great-horned owls are common in the upland forest on the west side of the property.

The path on the west side, at the base of the upland forest, follows a slough. At the south end of the slough, keep an eye out for bald eagles. A mature pair has nested here for many years, and if you scan the trees, you may spot their nest. Watch for frogs, painted turtles and wood ducks along the slough as well.

BSC is open to the public from sunrise to sunset throughout the year, which includes the hunting and trapping fall and winter seasons. Overnight camping is not allowed. Always be respectful of wildlife, especially females with young. Watch and photograph from a distance. Do not feed the animals and keep your pets under control or leashed – the wildlife are too tempting to chase.

So, grab your binoculars and camera, pack your lunch, throw on some sunscreen, and, though you won’t experience clouds of mosquitos, grab some repellent and enjoy the wildlife.

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