The Smith River provides one of the most unique river floating experiences available in Montana. Spectacular limestone cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop for a river corridor rich with resources we all find valuable; wildlife habitat, riparian plant communities, primitive cultural sites, breathtaking scenery, and significant recreational and agricultural resources in a vital ecosystem. One trip down the Smith leaves an impression not soon forgotten.

Depending on the time of year you visit the Smith, you may notice that the landscape is blanketed with a pale yellow-green plant - LEAFY SPURGE. This invasive plant poses a dangerous threat to riparian ecosystems and the natural, cultural, agricultural and recreational resources we cherish on the Smith River.

By displacing native and desirable plant species, leafy spurge can cause significant environmental and economic impacts due to forage loss; reduced wildlife associated with recreation, rare plant loss, and reduced soil and water conservation due to erosion. When bank stabilizing vegetation is displaced by invasive plants along waterways, increases in silt and sediment in the water can occur. Leafy spurge infestations can reduce wildlife and livestock forage by up to 75%, posing serious economic threats to those who make their living off of the land.

Since its introduction to the Smith River in the 1920's, leafy spurge has spread to infest over 1600 acres along the river corridor. Weed management has been sporadic during the past 30 years as environmental constraints, reduced budgets, and difficult access along much of the river has made management with herbicides extremely difficult. Since 1991, the availability of biological control agents (weed feeding insects or pathogens) has enhanced management options for leafy spurge. But, despite efforts to contain and control leafy spurge, the weed continues to spread throughout the Smith River canyon and has escaped to adjacent rangelands.

Leafy spurge infestations cross many landscapes and property lines along the Smith River corridor. Although infestations are severe in some areas, many smaller or isolated infestations within the river corridor can be contained or eradicated with a consistent cooperative management program. Awareness, prevention, inventory and monitoring, management, and research are all important components of an effective integrated weed management program.

With so many people who use and care about the Smith River, AWARENESS of the imminent threat of invasive species is critical. For those who recreate on the Smith River, the ability to identify, avoid, and report weed populations to land managers can help to prevent establishment and further spread into uninfested areas.

The most effective way to combat invasive plants is to PREVENT them from becoming established. Early detection and treatment of weeds is dependent upon education and awareness among land managers, private land owners, and river recreational users. Leafy spurge is only one of 27 noxious weeds in Montana. Establishment of other invasive species can mean an even more complex problem for the Smith River.

Current INVENTORY of size and locations of weed populations is important for developing management priorities. By comparing inventories, land managers are able to measure and MONITOR management effectiveness in reducing weed populations and spread.

Land managers implement a variety of weed MANAGEMENT tools including herbicides, insects, hand-pulling, digging, mowing, grazing or burning. Management objectives may include preventing establishment of new plants, eradicating small populations, or containing or suppressing widespread infestations. RESEARCH is still needed to help determine the impacts of invasive plants, and developing the BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES for a variety of situations and environments.

Each of us who work & play along the Smith River corridor have something to lose if we don't work together to control Leafy Spurge. Here are a few simple THINGS YOU CAN DO during your visit to the Smith River.