City on the River of Awe : Changes in Missoula\u27s Urban River Corridor

The city-river interface is a key component of urban planning and development in the American West. Policy regarding this interaction and urban river water quality has changed significantly over time, in favor of river water quality. The purpose of this paper is to identify how these changes are exemplified in the city of Missoula\u27s relationship to the Clark Fork River, and how these changes can be seen today. Literature on urban planning, government documents, archived resources, and current policies will be examined to assess the history of this relationship in Missoula. Channelization and the development of the river greenway will be subjects of focus. Results will show positive policy changes over time, and will be used to form a student-oriented field study conveying these changes. Together, the report and field study will allow a deeper understanding of the history of Missoula\u27s relationship with the Clark Fork, and how this relationship reflects changes in urban planning in the West