Flathead River
North Fork Flathead River
Middle Fork, near Essex, Montana
Countries	United States, Canada
State	Montana
Province	British Columbia
Length	240 mi (386 km) [1]
Watershed	8,795 mi² (22,779 km²) [2]
Discharge	near mouth, at Perma, MT
- average	11,380 ft³/s (322 m³/s) [2]
- maximum	53,400 ft³/s (1,512 m³/s)
- minimum	2,670 ft³/s (76 m³/s)
Source	North Fork Flathead River
- location	Rocky Mountains, British Columbia
- coordinates	49°19′56″N 114°51′9″W / 49.33222, -114.8525 [3]
- elevation	7,090 ft (2,161 m) [4]
Mouth	Clark Fork
- coordinates	47°21′56″N 114°46′34″W / 47.36556, -114.77611 [5]
- elevation	2,484 ft (757 m) [4]
Major tributaries
- right	Beaver Creek, North Fork Crooked River, Ochoco Creek
Map of the Flathead River, its tributary forks and downriver connection to the Columbia River via Clark Fork and the Pend Oreille River.

The Flathead River is a tributary of Clark Fork in the U.S. state of Montana and the Canadian province of British Columbia. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Official language(s) English Capital Helena Largest city Billings Area  Ranked 4th  - Total 147,165 sq mi (381,156 km²)  - Width 255 miles (410 km)  - Length 630 miles (1,015 km)  - % water 1  - Latitude 44°26N to 49°N  - Longitude 104°2W to 116°2W Population  Ranked... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo - Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 36 - Senate seats 6 Confederation July 20, 1871 (6th province) Area  Ranked 4th - Total 944,735 km... A mile is a unit of length, usually used to measure distance, in a number of different systems, including Imperial units, United States customary units and Norwegian/Swedish mil. ... km redirects here. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... It has been suggested that Thousand Cubic Feet be merged into this article or section. ... Look up second in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The cubic meter (symbol m³) is the SI derived unit of volume. ... Look up second in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... It has been suggested that Thousand Cubic Feet be merged into this article or section. ... Look up second in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The cubic meter (symbol m³) is the SI derived unit of volume. ... Look up second in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... It has been suggested that Thousand Cubic Feet be merged into this article or section. ... Look up second in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The cubic meter (symbol m³) is the SI derived unit of volume. ... Look up second in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Rocky Mountains, often called the Rockies, are a broad mountain range in western North America. ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo - Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 36 - Senate seats 6 Confederation July 20, 1871 (6th province) Area  Ranked 4th - Total 944,735 km... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The metre or meter is a measure of length. ... The Clark Fork is a river in the U.S. states of Montana and Idaho, approximately 360 mi (579 km) long. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The metre or meter is a measure of length. ... Beaver Creek may refer numerous places, both stream and towns, etc. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 776 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (813 × 628 pixel, file size: 100 KB, MIME type: image/png) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Clark Fork is a river in the U.S. states of Montana and Idaho, approximately 360 mi (579 km) long. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Counties/Parishes/Boroughs, Cities, and Towns Other countries Politics Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... Official language(s) English Capital Helena Largest city Billings Area  Ranked 4th  - Total 147,165 sq mi (381,156 km²)  - Width 255 miles (410 km)  - Length 630 miles (1,015 km)  - % water 1  - Latitude 44°26N to 49°N  - Longitude 104°2W to 116°2W Population  Ranked... Regions Political culture Foreign relations Other countriesAtlas  Politics Portal      Canada is a federation which consists of ten provinces that, with three territories, make up the worlds second largest country in total area. ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo - Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 36 - Senate seats 6 Confederation July 20, 1871 (6th province) Area  Ranked 4th - Total 944,735 km...

The river properly begins at the confluence of two tributaries, North Fork Flathead River and Middle Fork Flathead River. Downriver of the forks confluence the third fork joins, the South Fork Flathead River. The North Fork is the longest of the three and is sometimes considered part of the main Flathead River.^[1][3]

The river is part of the Columbia River basin, being a tributary of Clark Fork, which is tributary to Pend Oreille Lake and the Pend Oreille River, which is tributary to the Columbia River. The Columbia River (French: fleuve Columbia) is a river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. ... Pend Oreille Lake is a lake in northern Idaho. ... The Pend Oreille River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately 130 mi (209 km) long, in northern Idaho and northeastern Washington in the United States, as well as southeastern British Columbia in Canada. ...

Portions of the three forks of the Flathead River, South, Middle, and North, are designated National Wild and Scenic River. National Wild and Scenic River is a designation for certain protected areas in the United States. ...

Course

North Fork Flathead River

The North Fork Flathead River originates in southeastern British Columbia, in the Clark Range, part of the Rocky Mountains. It flows east, collecting various headwater tributaries, then south, entering Montana just west of Glacier National Park. The river forms the Western boundary of Glacier National Park. The Clark Range ( to ) is a mountain range of the Canadian Rockies, crossing the Continental Divide between Alberta and British Columbia. ... The Rocky Mountains, often called the Rockies, are a broad mountain range in western North America. ... There is also a non-adjoining national park by the same name in British Columbia. ...

In Montana the river continues to flow south, between the Whitefish Range and Salish Mountains to the west and, to the east, the Livingston Range, Lewis Range, Flathead Range, Swan Range. The North Fork Flathead River collects tributaries including Kintla Creek, Whale Creek, Bowman Creek, Quartz Creek, Coal Creek, Camas Creek, and Big Creek, before joining the Middle Fork Flathead River, near Coram, Montana, to form the Flathead River proper. The Salish Mountains are located in the northwest corner of the U.S. State of Montana. ... Kintla Peak is the tallest mountain in the Livingston Range The Livingston Range is a mountain range located primarily in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana, and in the extreme southeastern section of the Canadian province of British Columbia. ... Mount Cleveland is the highest peak in the Lewis Range The Lewis Range is a mountain range located in the Rocky Mountains of northern Montana, U.S. and extreme southern Alberta, Canada. ... Coram is a census-designated place located in Flathead County, Montana. ...

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 continues to threatened the North Fork, which was deemed the 'wildest river in the contintential United States by the New York Times in 2004. Mostly recently, BP announced plans to obtain drilling rights for coalbed methane extraction in the river's headwaters.

Middle Fork Flathead River

The Middle Fork Flathead River originates in Flathead County, Montana with several headwater streams draining the western side of the Continental Divide. It flows generally northwest, collecting tributaries including Ole Creek, Nyack Creek, and McDonald Creek, before joining the North Fork Flathead River, near West Glacier, Montana, forming the Flathead River proper. Flathead County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... A continental divide is a line of elevated terrain which forms a border between two watersheds such that water falling on one side of the line eventually travels to one ocean or body of water, and water on the other side travels to another, generally on the opposite side of... West Glacier is a small, unincorporated town in eastern Flathead County, Montana, United States. ...

Much of the Middle Fork is designated a National Wild and Scenic River. It drains parts of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Great Bear Wilderness of Flathead National Forest. Its lower reach borders on the southern edge of Glacier National Park. Big Salmon Lake The Bob Marshall Wilderness is located in western Montana in the United States and is named after Bob Marshall (1901-1939), an early forester, conservationist and co-founder of The Wilderness Society. ... The Great Bear Wilderness is located in northern Montana, United States, within Lewis and Clark National Forest Created by an act of Congress in 1978, the wilderness is comprised of 286,700 acres (91,160 km²) and borders the Bob Marshall Wilderness on the north. ...

South Fork Flathead River

The South Fork Flathead River originates in Powell County, Montana with the joining of several headwater streams, including Gordon Creek, Danaher Creek, and Youngs Creek. The river flows generally north and northwest, collecting tributaries including the White River, Big Salmon Creek, Little Salmon Creek, Gorge Creek, Spotted Bear Creek, and Sullivan Creek. Much of the upper South Fork lies within the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Flathead National Forest. Powell County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Big Salmon Lake The Bob Marshall Wilderness is located in western Montana in the United States and is named after Bob Marshall (1901-1939), an early forester, conservationist and co-founder of The Wilderness Society. ...

Hungry Horse Dam impounds the lower portion of the South Fork in a reservoir called Hungry Horse Reservoir. A few miles below the dam, the South Fork empties into the main Flathead River, near Hungry Horse, Montana. Columbia River Basin The Hungry Horse Dam is located in the Rocky Mountains of northwestern Montana. ... ... Hungry Horse is a census-designated place located in Flathead County, Montana. ...

Lower Flathead River

Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ...

Flathead River

The main Flathead River, formed by the confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork, flows generally south. The South Fork Flathead River joins just a few miles below the North and Middle Forks confluence. The river flows by the cities of Columbia Falls and Kalispell. Tributaries of this section of the river include the Whitefish River and its tributary the Stillwater River.-1... Kalispell is a city in Flathead County, Montana, USA. The population was 14,223 at the 2000 census. ... The Stillwater River rises 15 miles south of the border between Montana and Alberta, west of Glacier National Park in the Kootenai National Forest. ...

A few miles south of Kalispell, the Flathead River empties into the north end of Flathead Lake. Tributaries that flow into the lake include the Swan River. Bathymetric Map of Flathead Lake Flathead Lake is the largest natural lake in Montana and the largest freshwater lake in the western United States. ... The Swan River starts near Missoula, Montana and goes north to Sealy Lake. ...

The Flathead River exits the south end of the lake, near Polson, Montana. Within a few miles the river is impounded by Kerr Dam. Although a natural lake, Flathead Lake is used as a reservoir and its capacity and water releases are controlled by Kerr Dam. Some clouds over Flathead Lake in Polson Montana Polson is a city located on the southern shore of Flathead Lake in Lake County, Montana. ... Kerr Dam is located at River Mile 72 of the Flathead River at the end of Flathead Lake near Polson, Montana. ...

Below the dam, the Flathead River flows generally south, through the Flathead Indian Reservation, collecting tributaries including the Little Bitterroot River, Crow Creek, Mission Creek, and Jocko River. This section of the river flows between the Salish Mountains on the west and the Mission Mountains on the east. The Flathead Indian Reservation is located in western Montana, it is home to the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai and Pend dOreilles Tribes - also known as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation (1). ... Photo taken near Perma, MT on March 4, 2007 The Mission Mountains are located in the northwestern area of the U.S. State of Montana. ...

Below the Jocko River confluence, the Flathead River turns west, flowing through the Salish Mountains to join the Clark Fork river near Paradise, Montana.^[6] The Clark Fork is a river in the U.S. states of Montana and Idaho, approximately 360 mi (579 km) long. ... Paradise is a census-designated place located in Sanders County, Montana. ...

History

Fur traders employed by the North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company entered the Flathead Valley in the early 1800s. Trading posts were established north of Flathead Lake. The first settlers began arriving in the 1860s. Irrigation agriculture began in the 1880s.^[7] An Alberta fur trader in the 1890s. ... Today, the North West Company is a grocery vendor in remote communities across northern Canada, Alaska and Greenland. ... The Hudsons Bay Company (HBC; Compagnie de la Baie dHudson in French) is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and is one of the oldest in the world. ... A family of Russian settlers in the Caucasus region, ca. ...

See also

• List of rivers in Montana
• Tributaries of the Columbia River

Map of principal rivers of Montana The following is a partial list of rivers in Montana (U.S. state). ... Tributaries of the Columbia River Going downstream Alphabetical Going downstream From the headwaters in British Columbia, Canada, to the mouth at Astoria, Oregon and beyond: Kicking Horse River Canoe River Kootenay River Flathead River Pend Oreille River Colville River Spokane River Sanpoil River Nespelum River Okanogan River Methow River Chelan...

References

InsertSLUTTY WHORES≤ non-formatted text here{| class=toccolours border=1 cellpadding=4 style=float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; width: 20em; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; clear: right; |+ United States Geological Survey |- |style= align=center colspan=2| [[Image:USGS logo. ... InsertSLUTTY WHORES≤ non-formatted text here{| class=toccolours border=1 cellpadding=4 style=float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; width: 20em; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; clear: right; |+ United States Geological Survey |- |style= align=center colspan=2| [[Image:USGS logo. ... GNIS (The Geographic Names Information System) contains name and locative information about almost two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its Territories. ... Google Earth is a virtual globe program that was originally called Earth Viewer and was created by Keyhole, Inc. ... InsertSLUTTY WHORES≤ non-formatted text here{| class=toccolours border=1 cellpadding=4 style=float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; width: 20em; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; clear: right; |+ United States Geological Survey |- |style= align=center colspan=2| [[Image:USGS logo. ... GNIS (The Geographic Names Information System) contains name and locative information about almost two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its Territories. ... Delorme is a topographic mapping company based in Yarmouth, Maine. ... The United States Bureau of Reclamation (Formerly the United States Reclamation Service) is a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior which oversees water development projects in the western United States. ...

External links

http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/flathead/plan/FH%20Assessment.pdf