Madison River, Headwater tributary of Missouri River in Montana, United States.
The Madison River is a waterway flowing through Wyoming and Montana that extends roughly 180 miles from Yellowstone toward the Missouri River. It moves through valleys and alongside lakes before joining the Missouri system at Three Forks.
The river was named in 1805 by explorer Meriwether Lewis to honor James Madison, who was Secretary of State during the Lewis and Clark expedition. This naming reflects the early exploration of the region.
The river holds special meaning for Montana's fishing community, with certain sections protected as blue ribbon waters where anglers pursue trout. Local and visiting fishermen have shaped how people use and care for these sections.
The section between two dams maintains cold water year-round due to releases from the lower dam outlet, which creates good fishing conditions. Visitors should check local conditions and come prepared for varying water temperatures depending on the season and location.
A major earthquake in 1959 triggered a massive landslide that blocked the river and created a new lake where none had existed before. The lake that formed remains a visible reminder of this sudden geological shift.
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