M333Dc Clark Fork Valley and Mountains

Landscape Characteristics:

Mountains formed from quartzite and argillite. Elevations range from 2300 to 7500 feet. Drainage density is moderate. Some lakes occur in high elevation cirques.

Climate:

Mean annual precipitation ranges from 25 to 80 inches, about 50 percent falling as snow. The soil temperature and moisture regimes are frigid and typic ustic. Some cryic/udic regimes occur at higher elevations.

Potential Vegetation:

Western ponderosa forest/Douglas-fir forest

Relationships of Dominant Map Unit Components:

Landform Geology Soil Taxa
Mountainsides/ridges Quartzite/argillite Xerochrepts/Eutrochrepts/Vitrandepts
Valley floor/fans/terraces Alluvium Xerochrepts/Eutrochrepts/Vitrandepts

Disturbance and Land Use:

The primary natural disturbances are fire, insects, disease, and flooding. Land use is predominantly urban/suburban development, timber harvest, mining, and some grazing.