Nevada Spring Creek Ranch

Details & Features

Long considered one of the gateways into the Bob Marshall Wilderness area and falling into the path of striking mountain views, the Nevada Spring Creek Ranch is located in the upper Blackfoot Valley and consists of 1,185 acres. The ranch features a dynamic blend of water resources and is home to five distinct bodies of water including over 4 miles of a restored Spring Creek and nearly 6 miles of Nevada Creek, a major tributary of the upper Blackfoot River.  Hundreds of acres of enhanced wetland complex provide world class waterfowl hunting and endless wildlife viewing. The ranch borders Federal waterfowl production area and Aunt Molly’s wildlife management area, creating additional recreational opportunities.  Complimenting the ranch’s wildlife and recreational attributes is a notable agricultural component, and the ranch enjoys water rights dating back to the late 1800’s. Available building sites provide privacy amongst the wildlife with unmatched views of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and distant snow-capped mountain ranges.

Location
Located in a valley long on cattle ranches and astounding mountain views, Nevada Spring Creek Ranch offers privacy, yet remains convenient and accessible. Situated in the upper Blackfoot Valley, the ranch is accessed from MT-141. The small towns of Helmville and Ovando are just a few miles down the road with basic amenities including local watering holes, cafes, fuel, and a fly shop. Less than an hour’s drive, approximately 60 miles away, is the state capital of Helena, population 33,000. Montana’s second largest city, Missoula, is located just over an hour away. Both cities conveniently provide all necessary services including commercial and private air services.

Area Recreation
There are very few parts of the West that offer the year-round recreational choices found throughout the Blackfoot Valley. Running through the heart of the valley is the storied Blackfoot River, renowned by angling circles for its emerald-green waters and native Cutthroats eager to eat the dry fly. Numerous public access points make the Blackfoot and its tributaries accessible to recreational fisherman. Hikers, hunters, and backcountry enthusiasts enjoy close proximity to the Rocky Mountain Front and both the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas. As the snow begins to fly, excellent big game hunting, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing make up the bulk of recreational opportunities here during the winter months.

Conservation Easement
The Montana Land Reliance holds a Conservation Easement on the ranch, which protects its rural character and significant natural resources, while still allowing for agricultural and ranching activities to continue. Multiple building envelopes are available for the future owner.

Live Water
Nevada Spring Creek – Sourced on the ranch, the spring creek’s water comes bubbling up from underground at 4 to 5 cubic feet per second at around 45 degrees year-round. Improved agricultural practices and extensive restoration efforts ensures this cold, clean water flows into the upper Blackfoot system and provides year-round habitat, food sourcs, spawning connectivity and rearing grounds for native Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Bull Trout—an endangered species—have also been found in the spring creek.
Nevada Creek is a major tributary of the upper Blackfoot River and flows through the ranch for nearly six miles.
Douglas Creek is a tributary of Nevada Creek and cuts through a small portion of the ranch.
Wasson Creek is a small tributary of Nevada Spring Creek, flowing at only a few cubic feet per second, yet studies have shown this is a critically important spawning tributary for cutthroat trout. Restoration work was done to restore the entire length of Wasson Creek on the ranch as well.
Wetland Complex, a significant wetland restoration, creation and enhancement has taken place on the ranch resulting in an incredibly diverse wetland ecosystem that supports many species of waterfowl, including the endangered Trumpeter Swan.

The Spring Creek:Conservation Success Story
In 2004, an extensive multi-year restoration project was undertaken on the ranch to restore Nevada Spring Creek and surrounding wetland habitat. Under a prior ownership, cattle ranching practices had severely degraded the spring creek into an over-widened, over-heated and nutrient-loaded stream that could not support cold water fish species and was detrimental to the health of the downstream watershed. The old channel was abandoned, and a new narrow, deep channel five miles long was constructed to deliver cold, clean water from the spring head on the ranch to the confluence with Nevada Creek, a major tributary of the upper Blackfoot River. The abandoned channel was then converted to an extensive wetland complex, supporting countless species of both nesting and migrating waterfowl.

Hunting
• Virtually every species of waterfowl found in Montana can be found on the ranch as well as countless other species of birds.
• Tall grass, willows and brushy cover support dense populations of Whitetails, and the ranch is frequented by a large herd of elk.

Summary
•1,185 private acres with unmatched biological diversity and wildlife resources
• Extremely well managed property with extensive trail system providing easy access for all recreational activities.
• Public land borders allow access to more acreage for additional recreation
• Private build site locations with stunning views of the Scapegoat, Bob Marshall, Garnetts, Hoodoos and Mission Mountains Ranges
• Located in a valley with unlimited access to wilderness and some of the West’s most storied fisheries
• Excellent waterfowl hunting, archery hunting for elk and deer, seasonal fishing, and wildlife viewing

• Year-round recreational choices in the upper Blackfoot Valley
• An abundance of water resources with miles of restored spring creek and hundreds of acres of pristine wetland habitat
• Diverse ecosystems with significant wildlife populations blended with hay and cattle production
• Private setting with panoramic views of distant snow covered peaks