Minnows & Mud
Rest area 30 miles east of Buffalo on I-90

Powder River, flowing north to Montana, has a far different character than the clear, trout-filled mountain streams that form it. Here the water is wide and shallow and in spring the run-off from the mountains transforms the river into a heavy current of muddy water.

Unique fish live in the Powder River and are adapted to life in murky conditions. The stonecat and three minnows (flathead chub, sturgeon chub and longnose dace) have flattened or streamlined bodies to help them stay near the bottom and fight the current. They have small eyes since good eyesight is of little use in muddy water. Near their mouth they have “Barbles” or “whiskers” which they use to smell and taste potential food. In June, the river is also host to the shovelnose sturgeon, channel catfish and goldeye, which swim by on their long trek to tributary streams to spawn.

The Powder River—one of the unique habitats, which supports unique species of Wyoming wildlife.