Description

Montana’s eastern high plains are a part of America’s Great Plains region. This ecosystem type is generally found on high, rolling land and on some scattered hills and in wide river valleys.

Some of the rivers and streams in this region, particularly the warm water sections of the Yellowstone and Missouri in eastern Montana, harbor the most diverse communities of fish in the state. The landscape experiences short, hot summers and long, cold winters that bring fewer than 15" of precipitation a year. In this environment, the protection offered by woody draws and the unique badlands or “breaks” provide important pockets of habitat and protection for wildlife.

In addition, Montana’s unique prairie forests provide a higher elevation relief where precipitation is sufficient to create closed-canopy forests of Great Plains ponderosa pine and various deciduous trees. These forests are a unique part of the plains landscape.

Fish & Wildlife

Historically the high plains were home to nomadic herds of bison, elk and pronghorns. Predators such as wolves and grizzlies depended on these grazers for food. The plains were dotted with large prairie dogs towns, which supported populations of mountain plovers, burrowing owls, black-footed ferrets, prairie rattlesnakes, and swift foxes. Today, most of these same species can be found living on Montana’s plains grasslands.

Vegetation

The plains grassland are found in the eastern third of Montana, and yes, you guessed it, the primary plants found here are grasses.