Updating an earlier post on the famous Blackfoot River, Milltown Dam, near Missoula, Mont., is coming down on Friday. When the dam goes down, the Blackfoot (the inspiration for “A River Runs Through It”) and Clark Fork rivers will run free again for the first time in 100 years.

Researchers are still uncertain how the dam removal will affect the Clark Fork’s ecosystem. Clark Fork, for those who aren’t familiar with Western Montana, is the river that runs through the heart of Missoula and is where a number of fly guides make their living. Fish kills are expected and the river could be three to five years away from returning to its natural state, so you can understand the concern in Big Sky Country as this project goes forward.

In the long run, the $120 million dam removal project should help stabilize the fish runs in the two rivers and its tributaries, such as Rock Creek, which, as many of you know, is one of my favorites.

According to the Clark Fork Coalition, the dam will be breached at 11:30 a.m. local time and can be seen on the organization's Milltown Dam Cam.

The local newspaper, the Missoulian, also has some good stories and videos on the 100-year-old dam and the removal project.

The Clark Fork runs through downtown Missoula. Photo by Brian Milne.