The Lochsa, Selway and Middle Fork of the Clearwater rivers top the list of rivers identified in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act passed by Congress in 1968. They are all designated parts of the system.

For thousands of years the water has carved its way down creating the narrow canyons of these three rivers leaving rugged, tree-lined walls with rock outcroppings. For hundreds of years the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) lived, traveled, camped, gathered roots, fished and hunted in these lands. They followed the ridge top to hunting grounds for buffalo.

The Lochsa and Selway join at Lowell to form the Middle Fork of the Clearwater and it flows on in a little wider canyon and onto more populated areas, eventually the main stem of the Clearwater which flows into the Snake River at Lewiston.

Along the route of the Clearwater and then the Lochsa, U.S. Highway 12 was built to connect North Central Idaho with western parts of Montana. It is that route that has recently been in contention as opposing groups seek to determine its future, whether for all types of shipping, whatever the size of the load, or to be restricted from such activities and protected by the designation. The end is still being decided and more history written.

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