Flathead River
Encyclopedia
The Flathead River, in the northwestern part of the U.S. state
of Montana
, originates in the Rocky Mountains
near Glacier National Park and flows southwest into Flathead Lake
, then after a journey of 158 miles (254.3 km), empties into the Clark Fork
. The river is part of the Columbia River
drainage basin, as the Clark Fork is a tributary of the Pend Oreille River
, a Columbia River tributary. With a drainage basin extending over 8795 mi2 and an average discharge of 11380 cuft/s, the Flathead is the largest tributary of the Clark Fork and constitutes over half of its flow.
, which runs from the Canadian province of British Columbia
southwards. The North Fork is sometimes considered the main stem of the Flathead River. Near West Glacier
the North Fork combines with the Middle Fork
to form the main Flathead River. The river then flows westwards to join the South Fork
and cuts between the Whitefish Range
and Swan Range
via Bad Rock Canyon. All of the headwaters forks are entirely or in part designated National Wild and Scenic River
s. After the river leaves the canyon it flows into the broad Flathead Valley and arcs southwest, passing Columbia Falls
and Kalispell
, before joining the Whitefish River
and emptying into Flathead Lake
, where the Swan River
joins.
Near Polson
the river leaves the natural basin of Flathead Lake, but first passes through Kerr Dam
, which maintains the level of Flathead Lake artificially. After the dam the river turns south and meanders through the Flathead Valley west of the Mission Mountains
, and at Dixon
it is joined by the small Jocko River
. At the Jocko River confluence it turns west, and a few miles after flows into the Clark Fork near Paradise
.
rs employed by the North West Company
and Hudson's Bay Company
entered the Flathead Valley in the early 19th century. Trading posts were established north of Flathead Lake. The first settler
s began arriving in the 1860s. Irrigation agriculture began in the 1880s.
The North Fork Flathead River in Montana is designated a National Wild and Scenic River. The river is not afforded any protection in British Columbia. This has been the subject of thirty-years of dispute between the United States and Canada. In 1988 the International Joint Commission
, ruled that a proposed open pit coal mine would violate the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty.
Energy development once threatened the North Fork, which was deemed the 'wildest river in the continental United States' by the New York Times in 2004. On February 21, 2008 BP announced to drop plans to obtain drilling rights for coalbed methane
extraction in the river's headwaters. However, the Cline Mining Corporation still intends to start a mountaintop-removal coal mining project.
On February 9, 2010, the British Columbia government announced that it would not permit mining, oil and gas development and coalbed gas extraction in British Columbia's portion of the Flathead Valley, which was praised by environmental groups and the U.S. Senators from Montana.
There is a proposal to protect 1/3 of British Columbia's Flathead River by adding it to the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. In 2003 Parks Canada
requested the province of British Columbia to take part in a park feasibility study. British Columbia has yet to agree to this.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, originates in the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
near Glacier National Park and flows southwest into Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western part of the contiguous United States. With a surface area of between and , it is slightly larger than Lake Tahoe. The lake is a remnant of the ancient inland sea, Lake Missoula of the era of the last interglacial. Flathead Lake...
, then after a journey of 158 miles (254.3 km), empties into the Clark Fork
Clark Fork (river)
The Clark Fork is a river in the U.S. states of Montana and Idaho, approximately long. The largest river by volume in Montana, it drains an extensive region of the Rocky Mountains in western Montana and northern Idaho in the watershed of the Columbia River, flowing northwest through a long...
. The river is part of the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
drainage basin, as the Clark Fork is a tributary of the Pend Oreille River
Pend Oreille River
The Pend Oreille River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately long, in northern Idaho and northeastern Washington in the United States, as well as southeastern British Columbia in Canada. In its passage through British Columbia its name is spelled Pend-d'Oreille River...
, a Columbia River tributary. With a drainage basin extending over 8795 mi2 and an average discharge of 11380 cuft/s, the Flathead is the largest tributary of the Clark Fork and constitutes over half of its flow.
Course
The Flathead River rises in forks in the Rocky Mountains of northwestern Montana. The largest tributary is the North ForkNorth Fork Flathead River
The North Fork Flathead River is a river flowing through British Columbia , Canada south into the U.S. state of Montana. It is one of the three primary forks of the Flathead River, a tributary of the Pend Oreille River, via Clark Fork. The river is sometimes considered the upper headwaters of the...
, which runs from the Canadian province of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
southwards. The North Fork is sometimes considered the main stem of the Flathead River. Near West Glacier
West Glacier, Montana
West Glacier is a small unincorporated community in eastern Flathead County, Montana, United States. The town is at the west entrance to Glacier National Park and is located on U.S. Route 2 and a main line of the BNSF Railway. The headquarters complex for Glacier National Park is located nearby...
the North Fork combines with the Middle Fork
Middle Fork Flathead River
The Middle Fork Flathead River is a river in western Montana in the United States, forming the southwestern boundary of Glacier National Park. Its drainage basin lies to the east of the South Fork Flathead River and the Hungry Horse Reservoir...
to form the main Flathead River. The river then flows westwards to join the South Fork
South Fork Flathead River
The South Fork Flathead River is a major river in Northwestern Montana in the northwest United States. It is one of the three main forks of the Flathead River, a tributary of the Clark Fork River...
and cuts between the Whitefish Range
Whitefish Range
The Whitefish Range is a mountain range stretching north-south from British Columbia, Canada to Montana, United States. It is about long and wide...
and Swan Range
Swan Range
The Swan Range is a mountain range in western Montana in the United States . Its peaks typically rise to around . The range is bounded by the South Fork Flathead River to the east, the Flathead River to the north and northwest, the Swan River to the west, and lie to the southwest of Glacier...
via Bad Rock Canyon. All of the headwaters forks are entirely or in part designated National Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River is a designation for certain protected areas in the United States.The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was an outgrowth of the recommendations of a Presidential commission, the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission...
s. After the river leaves the canyon it flows into the broad Flathead Valley and arcs southwest, passing Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls, Montana
Columbia Falls is a city in Flathead County, Montana, United States. The population was 3,645 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Columbia Falls is located at ....
and Kalispell
Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell is a city in and the county seat of Flathead County, Montana, United States. The 2010 census put Kalispell's population at 19,927 up 5,704 over 2000. At 40.1% this is the largest percentage of growth of any incorporated city in Montana. Kalispell is the largest city and commercial center...
, before joining the Whitefish River
Whitefish River (Montana)
The Whitefish River is a tributary of the Flathead River in the U.S. state of Montana. It is part of the Columbia River basin, as the Flathead River is a tributary of Clark Fork, which is tributary to the Pend Oreille River, which is tributary to the Columbia River.-Course:The Whitefish River...
and emptying into Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western part of the contiguous United States. With a surface area of between and , it is slightly larger than Lake Tahoe. The lake is a remnant of the ancient inland sea, Lake Missoula of the era of the last interglacial. Flathead Lake...
, where the Swan River
Swan River (Montana)
The Swan River in the western part of the U.S. state of Montana starts in the Mission Mountains at Gray Wolf Lake and continues north to Swan Lake. Then it goes west and is impounded by a dam before emptying into Bigfork Bay and the town of Bigfork, where it enters Flathead Lake. The last stretch...
joins.
Near Polson
Polson, Montana
Polson is a city in Lake County, Montana, United States, on the southern shore of Flathead Lake. It is also on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The population was 4,041 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lake County...
the river leaves the natural basin of Flathead Lake, but first passes through Kerr Dam
Kerr Dam
Kerr Dam is concrete gravity-arch dam located at river mile 72 of the Flathead River, increasing the size of Flathead Lake near Polson, Montana. The dam was designed for hydroelectricity but also serves recreational uses...
, which maintains the level of Flathead Lake artificially. After the dam the river turns south and meanders through the Flathead Valley west of the Mission Mountains
Mission Mountains
The Mission Mountains or Mission Range are a range of the Rocky Mountains located in northwestern Montana in the United States. They lie chiefly in Lake County and Missoula County and are south and east of Flathead Lake and west of the Swan Range...
, and at Dixon
Dixon, Montana
Dixon is a census-designated place in Sanders County, Montana, United States. The population was 216 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dixon is located at ....
it is joined by the small Jocko River
Jocko River
The Jocko River is a roughly tributary of the Flathead River in western Montana in the United States. It rises in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and flows west into the Flathead at Dixon. The elevation is where it joins the Flathead. It is also known as Jacques Fork, Jim’s Fork, Prune River...
. At the Jocko River confluence it turns west, and a few miles after flows into the Clark Fork near Paradise
Paradise, Montana
Paradise is a census-designated place in Sanders County, Montana, United States. The population was 184 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Paradise is located at ....
.
History
Fur tradeFur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
rs employed by the North West Company
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
and Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
entered the Flathead Valley in the early 19th century. Trading posts were established north of Flathead Lake. The first settler
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
s began arriving in the 1860s. Irrigation agriculture began in the 1880s.
Recreation
The river is a Class I river in Montana for purposes of recreational access. The South fork of the Flathead, from Youngs Creek to Hungry Horse reservoir; Middle fork of the Flathead - from Schaffer creek to its confluence with the Flathead River; and the Flathead River - to its confluence with the Clark Fork River, are designated.Conservation
It is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Reaches designated wild & scenic include the enter North Fork south of the Canadian border, the entire Middle Fork, and the South Fork above Hungrey Horse Reservoir.The North Fork Flathead River in Montana is designated a National Wild and Scenic River. The river is not afforded any protection in British Columbia. This has been the subject of thirty-years of dispute between the United States and Canada. In 1988 the International Joint Commission
International Joint Commission
The International Joint Commission is an independent binational organization established by the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.The Commission has responsibilities related to the following treaties and agreements:...
, ruled that a proposed open pit coal mine would violate the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty.
Energy development once threatened the North Fork, which was deemed the 'wildest river in the continental United States' by the New York Times in 2004. On February 21, 2008 BP announced to drop plans to obtain drilling rights for coalbed methane
Coalbed methane
Coalbed methane or Coal Bed Methane, coalbed gas or coal mine methane is a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds. In recent decades it has become an important source of energy in United States, Canada, and other countries...
extraction in the river's headwaters. However, the Cline Mining Corporation still intends to start a mountaintop-removal coal mining project.
On February 9, 2010, the British Columbia government announced that it would not permit mining, oil and gas development and coalbed gas extraction in British Columbia's portion of the Flathead Valley, which was praised by environmental groups and the U.S. Senators from Montana.
There is a proposal to protect 1/3 of British Columbia's Flathead River by adding it to the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. In 2003 Parks Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada , also known as the Parks Canada Agency , is an agency of the Government of Canada mandated to protect and present nationally significant natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative...
requested the province of British Columbia to take part in a park feasibility study. British Columbia has yet to agree to this.
See also
- List of rivers of Montana
- Montana Stream Access LawMontana Stream Access LawThe Montana Stream Access Law says that anglers, floaters and other recreationists in Montana have full use of most natural waterways between the high water marks for fishing and floating, along with swimming and other river or stream-related activities...
- Montana Wilderness AssociationMontana Wilderness AssociationThe Montana Wilderness Association was founded in 1958 by Montana volunteers and is governed by a state council of citizen volunteers from across the state, elected by the membership. As a community-based organization, it works at the local level through seven chapters and field offices in ...
- Tributaries of the Columbia RiverTributaries of the Columbia RiverTributaries and sub-tributaries are hierarchically listed in order from the mouth of the Columbia River upstream. Major dams and reservoir lakes are also noted.-Minor tributaries:* Skipanon River * Lewis and Clark River * Youngs River...
- Flathead LakeFlathead LakeFlathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western part of the contiguous United States. With a surface area of between and , it is slightly larger than Lake Tahoe. The lake is a remnant of the ancient inland sea, Lake Missoula of the era of the last interglacial. Flathead Lake...
External links
- http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/flathead/plan/
- Flathead Wild. Keep it Wild. Keep it Connected.
- Wildsight