Lewis and Clark in Russell Country

Loma

In June 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent nine days at the Marias River, trying to determine whether or not the Marias was a main stem of the Missouri; they correctly concluded that it was not. The instructions they had gotten from the Mandan tribe in North Dakota made no mention of the river. The waterway was especially confusing because of its size. Its wide, powerful nature in high water made it seem as likely a main river as the Missouri arm.

Lewis climbed to what is now called Decision Point Overlook for a better view of the surrounding land, in hopes of finding the right route. Lewis finally reasoned that the thick, dark waters of the Marias traveled too much to the north to be the Missouri. He felt that the clearer waters of the westward river must move through the high mountains. In the end, it was exploration that decided the matter, and Lewis was proved right.

Decision Point Overlook is located 11 miles north of Fort Benton on US 87. At the confluence of the Missouri River. The BLM has interpretive signs at Decision Point on the ridge above the Missouri.

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