Flathead River
Flathead River is a major tributary of Columbia River, flowing from southwestern British Columbia into Flathead Lake and beyond into northern Montana. Known for clear waters, whitewater rapids, and vast floodplain forests, it's a key region for fishing, boating, and wildlife.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Pacific Northwest |
| Subregion | Northern Rockies |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Flathead County |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 48.138 |
| Longitude | -114.348 |
| Maps |
7:12 PM LOCAL TIMEOriginating in the Canadian Headwaters near Howe Sound, the Flathead River crosses into the US at the Clark Fork confluence and cascades southward across the Columbia Basin region. It flows approximately 200 miles (330 km), from the mountain headwaters near Keyhole Glacier and Dawson Pass through wide valleys and into Flathead Lake, a large natural reservoir near Kalispell. Along its course, the river supports a rich tapestry of habitats, from bull trout and cutthroat trout in high-gradient sections to mallard and beaver in floodplains. The lower river offers whitewater sections suitable for intermediate and expert paddlers, while calmer stretches are popular for drift boating and fishing for species like native westlope cutthroat and mountain whitefish. Recreation along the river is complemented by nearby communities, parks, and trails—serving as a corridor for wildlife migration and regional water supply.
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