[5] It flows through the Elk Valley in a southwesterly direction, joining the Kootenay River in Lake Koocanusa, just north of the British Columbia-Montana border.

For many years increased selenium, phosphate and nitrate levels have been linked to the continued expansion of the mining.

[7] The selenium pollution has heavily impacted the cutthroat trout in the river, which suffer from deformation of their gills.

While tribes in the U.S. and Canada have long desired this, BC officials have previously resisted commission involvement.

[10] The fishing in the Elk River is known to be some of the best fly-fishing in North America, with large, wild cutthroat and bull trout.