Clearwater Chain-of-Lakes: The Only…, The Biggest…, The Last…,

West of the Mississippi…? In Montana…?

In the last year, I have heard the phrase Clearwater Chain-of-Lakes many times by local residents. I’d never heard it used prior to last year. The phrase is always followed by some superlative like “the biggest in Montana” or the “last west of the Mississippi” or ??? Lots of question marks. Anyone who knows me knows that I do my homework. I won’t repeat such a superlative without first verifying that it’s true.

Since I’m very much in favor of any claim that will help support the special nature of our lakes, I set out to do my homework. Where in the heck d...