Flat Creek

Flat Creek in Jackson, Wyoming, is a significant waterway within the Snake River watershed. It originates in the Gros Ventre Wilderness and flows through the National Elk Refuge and the town of Jackson before passing Jackson’s Wastewater Treatment Facility and joining the Snake River. The diversity of landscapes through which Flat Creek flows make it a vital and dynamic resource for the entire ecosystem and community.

Flat Creek is a prominent and picturesque feature of the National Elk Refuge, a critical conservation area established to provide a habitat for one of the largest elk herds in North America, spanning approximately 24,700 just north of Jackson. This critical habitat supports Elk, waterfowl and an abundance of wildlife, and draws anglers from around the world to fish for trout in this prized waterway. Once Fish Creek enters the town of Jackson, it meanders under roadways and through core development zones, passing through many backyards and neighborhoods where it is popular for swimming, tubing and fishing.

Despite its beauty, ecological value and status as a treasured natural resource, Flat Creek faces challenges from urban development, including runoff and septic pollution. POWJH’s efforts, including infrastructure projects and ongoing monitoring, aim to enhance and preserve the creek’s habitat, which directly affect the health of the entire Snake River Watershed, for future generations.