The lushness of the Teton Basin provided prime area for the fur trade, attracting many other tribes to region, including the Nez Perce, Flathead and the Gros Ventre.

In 1832, a trade rendezvous gone awry resulted in the Battle of Pierre's Hole between the Gros Ventre and a party of American trappers, led by William Sublette and aided by their Nez Perce and Flathead allies.

The force of water due to the dam failure destroyed the lower part of the Teton River, washing away riparian zones and reducing the canyon walls.

[7] It is joined by several additional creeks that descend from surrounding Teton, Big Hole, and Snake River mountain ranges.

The upper watershed between Victor and Driggs are key targets for restoration by the Friends of Teton River as they harbor the best spawning habitat for Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri).

Other factors include competition with nonnative brook trout and habitat degradation from water diversion, grazing, mining, timber harvest and development.